In Heber, Utah, this old home carries the marks of its long history. The original structure rests on a stone and mortar foundation with solid masonry walls, while later additions in the back were built in lighter framing. Upstairs, the second story showed heavy layers of bat droppings, and below, a small cellar of about 100 square feet still holds the cool, stone-lined feel of its past.
At the time of inspection, the house was stripped to the studs, mid-remodel and ready for major changes. The second floor felt bouncy underfoot, a result of long, rough-cut joists. To stiffen it, we called for new sheathing beneath the joists to tie them together. Throughout the home, openings will be widened or reframed—windows stretched larger, doorways reshaped, and in one case, a massive 16-foot back doorway will require a steel header to carry the load. Even the stairway will be relocated which is a change that’s structurally acceptable and will reshape how the interior flows. All desired changes were deemed acceptable, so long as our structural call-outs are followed.
From the bat-littered attic to the cool stone cellar, this Heber home is in the midst of transformation. With careful reinforcement and new framing, it’s being prepared for its next chapter, one that honors its age but builds for the future.
