A. Kimball House, C. 1690
Ipswich, MA
This First Period house was in danger of collapse; leaning forward 8” at the top created a devastating angle for the front wall. The fact that the sills were rotted all around the house was masked, partially due to the false modern roof frame, with 3 layers of shingles (built to visually straighten it). Joinery was stressed to the point of failure; braces were cut in many key places compromising its structural integrity.
The house was jacked up to install new sills and perform other important structural repairs to the posts and girts. The jacking also served to rack the frame back to a plumb position.