Why do the heart-pine floors need readings from below?
Heart-pine framing over damp Piedmont clay holds moisture in the joists for a long time, and the clay beneath the house keeps the crawl space humid after a storm. The joists and the subfloor are read from below in every bay.
Heart pine is dense and dries slowly. The readings are taken at each joist and the sill, and the floor is closed only when the readings reach their goal.
What does a deep crawl space mean for drying?
Deep crawl spaces under raised brick piers hold air that is cool and damp, and water that enters them can stand for a long time. Storm water is removed from the low points first, then the air is moved through the space with the equipment set for it.
Access to a deep crawl space is planned, and the owner is told where the equipment will sit and how the access will be kept clear.
What do the Alcovy and Jacks Creek drainages add?
The Alcovy River and Jacks Creek drain the land around Monroe, and their low ground takes water in a heavy storm. Houses on the low side of town are read at the crawl space and the lowest room first.
The record notes the high-water line where it can be seen, and any debris left on the lot or the fence.
Who handles permits in Monroe?
Monroe is the county seat and a city in its own right, and its building department answers permit questions for work inside the city limits. Ask before any work that opens a wall, changes a line or alters the floor framing.
Historic districts can carry their own review requirements. The owner should ask the city before any work on an older house begins, and keep the reply with the file.
How does the courthouse square's older stock dry?
The buildings around the courthouse square are brick and frame, and water in their walls and floors travels slowly. The readings are taken at the wall base and at depth, and openings are made only where the numbers stay high.
The owners of square buildings keep their own records, since shared walls can carry water between two shops.
