Tell me more ×
Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 0 down vote favorite

I am living in a concrete and steel apartment building in Saint Louis, MO. The walls and floors of the first floor (read basement) are falling because they were built on the dirt in the basement before there was such a thing as wolmanizing of wood. At this point, I want to create a living space isolated from mold and free from all the nasty's that come with your world collapsing into termite food in the humid STL summers. Can anyone tell me the best way to do this?

Additionally, I am quite concerned with the issue of the mold and moisture. Is there an accepted method of isolating myself and my living space from the mold, moisture and asbestos that is common to the rest of the apartment building?

Is my best bet replacing the walls with backerboard so that they cannot mold or mildew? Should I rebuild from scratch? Should I jack this whole mess up with a bottle jack and some patience?

share|improve this question
2  
I have no idea what you mean by "jack up my basement apartment and isolate it". You need to elaborate, explain, and include some pictures. From what little I can glean from your question it sounds like your place is falling apart, so I'd recommend you move. – GdD Oct 5 '12 at 8:06
3  
From what you have said so far, it sounds like the building above is made of concrete and steel, but the basement is wood, and now rotting away. Therefore you need to jack up the building. Since this is the foundation of what lies above, I'd get out and be thankful I was still alive. – woodchips Oct 5 '12 at 12:40
You basically seem to understand the issue. The floor joists were eaten by termites in one corner and there is a related mold issue (the termites eat mold as I understand) this has caused the walls and floors to drop a centimeter or two. – Stony Oct 5 '12 at 16:57
The space originally had dirt floors and when they added the floors, they used standard wood to support it so even though the floors can be reinforced, it will be a huge undertaking. The building is owned by my friend and as a college student, I was excited to hear that I had a place to live rent-free while I get my education, but I am now much less convinced that it's a good idea. – Stony Oct 5 '12 at 17:01
Oh, and by isolating, I meant using a "building envelope" concept to make something like a tyvek barrier or something to keep my air clean and free from whatever is in theirs. Sorry I'm kind of new to all of this. :) – Stony Oct 5 '12 at 17:03
show 2 more comments

Know someone who can answer? Share a link to this question via email, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.