North Hollywood, Los Angeles County
Second Stories and Structural Work in North Hollywood
Second-story additions, balconies and foundation upgrades in North Hollywood, engineered from the roof down to the soil and reviewed by LADBS first.
How much of the existing house has to change before a second story goes on in North Hollywood? That question comes up early, and it is settled by measurement. We locate the existing footings, record their width and depth where they can be exposed, and hand those figures to an engineer who runs the new loads. One house may need only added posts and hold-downs, while another needs fresh footings or a steel frame.
Following the load from roof to soil
A second story changes the path of every load in the house. The engineer traces the new roof and floor weight down through posts and beams that may be set inside existing walls, to footings that can take it. Ceiling joists sized for drywall are usually replaced or doubled into floor joists. The added mass also raises the lateral demand, so shear walls, hold-downs and their nailing are redesigned. LADBS reads the calculations with the drawings, and plan check comments are cleared before the permit issues.
Balconies and outside stairs
A new upper floor often brings a balcony or an exterior stair with it. Cantilevered balcony joists have to run well back into the floor framing, with a membrane and flashing where they pass the wall and a slight slope on the surface so rain runs off. Exterior stairs sit on their own footings, with a landing at every door they serve. On a level yard, the space below a balcony can become a patio at grade that shares its drain lines. Guardrail heights and openings are drawn to code and checked at framing inspection.
Work we take on in North Hollywood
Each service is planned around the lot, sloped or level.
Building in North Hollywood?
Send the address and the job, and a builder will arrange a visit to read the lot.