Current Foundation Repair project
The Cohen Bray House foundation is made of brick and was built in 1882. The kitchen foundation and under the expanded kitchen porch was replaced in 1992.
Our mission is to continue to repair or replace the bad sections of the foundation. Luckily, with help from our members and a bequeathment, we have raised the funding and have almost completed the repairs two very bad sections 3 ( still need to repoint the bricks). and 3a ( see below) in the failing original brick foundation.
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We need your help to raise the additional funding for the repair of 3b -the sun porch.
The blue line in 3a shows was proposed, but as we took out the brick we realized that we needed to go under the library and the pocket door, the framing and mud sill had slipped, and needed to be replaced. See photos below.
Current Projects in process
Architect Kirk Peterson and Engineer Gene St. Ong designed the plans for the permits. We have hired Connor Daly Construction is doing the work which began June 16 and will be completed by July 17.
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Before- Conditions
Project 3a.- our biggest concern.
This is where the sewer pipe comes down from the second story bathroom to ground level. For 40 years the connection to the ground lateral pipe was leaking. This has caused the soil to collapse and the mud sill and bricks to move. The pipe had been fixed but the damage has been done. The weight of the building has caused almost a 3-1/2" subsidence so far. We have researched leveling the building up 3.5" and learned that that process will damage the plaster and the historic wallpapers and possibly pop out the windows. This will not comply with our mission, to do no harm. Therefore, we replaced the failing wood and bricks with cement and re-support the building as it is, in place.
Foundation progress-3a
6/21/25: Our contractor Connor Daly Construction shored up the building well and has removed the bricks from under section 3a (The parlor and the library). The rebar inspection is done and the concrete has been poured.
Next will be to take out the shoring and framing. Then fill in with dirt everywhere around the new concrete.
Left photo: The wood framing around the pour and the wood use to shore up the building will be stored under the house and reused for the next portion of the foundation project
Bricks will be reused in the garden.
Here is our foreman Saul, tamping the wet concrete down around the main cause of the foundation failure in this location. This is such a relief to have this done. Now, on to the next section!
Before and during
(under the laundry room) project.
Project 3- Before
In March, 2025 we replaced the 40-year- old jacks under the laundry room (indicated as #3 on the plan) with wood framing and drilled the sill plate and inserted a threaded rod which is epoxied in place. The mud sill on the right was water-damaged and had to be replaced.
Project 3- During
Below is the not quite completed "during" picture.
The 6"X 6" corner support was repaired with the exact piece (found on the floor) that had been cut out 40 years ago! Yes, the epoxied bolts have been tightened and inspected.
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Next, we need to replace the crumbling bricks and repoint with lime-based mortar here and the nearby chimney base under the kitchen and dining room. ( Est. $6K)
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