The Problem:

The homeowner in East Islip had several serious issues affecting the safety and function of the home.

Inside the house, an old brick support column was no longer reliable and needed to be removed and replaced with a stronger structural column. Some closet openings also required proper structural headers to keep the load bearing walls safe.

There was also a damaged section of the roof that needed patching to prevent water intrusion.

Inside the home, the owner wanted to convert unused space on the first and second floors into functional closets with proper framing, shelving, doors, and flooring.

Outside and below the home, access to the crawl space was very limited. The existing entrance was too small and unsafe. The foundation wall also needed rebuilding, and there was no proper walkway or slab for mechanical access. The chimney was no longer needed and had to be fully removed.

This project required careful planning to protect the structure of the home while improving safety, access, and usability.

The Solution:

Our Zavza Seal team completed the project in organized phases to make sure all structural and interior work was done safely and correctly.

Structural Column Replacement:

• We installed temporary structural support for the central beam.
• The existing brick column was demolished and removed.
• We excavated and built a new 16 inch by 16 inch by 16 inch reinforced concrete footing.
• A #4 rebar cage was installed for added strength.
• High strength fiber mixed concrete was poured.
• We installed a new 4 inch diameter concrete filled steel column with top and base plates.
• The column was factory primed with rust resistant paint.
• Temporary supports were removed once the structure was secure.

Roof Patch Repair:

• We supported the roof line during the repair.
• A roof membrane was installed.
• New shingles were added to match the existing roof.

First and Second Floor Closet Construction:

• We framed two new functional closets.
• First floor closet received two shelves with a closet rod below.
• Second floor closet received three shelves with a closet rod below.
• Two six panel doors were installed to match nearby doors.
• Flooring was installed to match the existing floors.

Structural King Header Installation:

• We installed properly sized structural headers for each closet opening.
• King studs and jack studs were installed on both sides.
• All framing was secured following standard building practices.

Chimney Removal:

• The chimney was fully demolished.
• All debris was removed and hauled away.

Crawl Space Entrance Construction:

• We excavated to reach the foundation wall and proper elevations.
• The existing entrance was saw cut and enlarged.
• A 4,000 PSI concrete staircase with a 7 foot high entrance was poured.
• A 3 foot wide concrete walkway was installed inside the crawl space.
• A 12 foot by 15 foot concrete slab was poured for mechanical access.
• The foundation wall was rebuilt on a reinforced rebar footing.
• A new exterior steel basement door and bilco door were installed.

All debris was removed and the work area was broom cleaned at completion.

The Result:

The home is now structurally sound, safer, and far more functional.

The new steel support column provides long term structural stability. The roof is sealed and protected from leaks. The new closets added usable storage space on both floors. The crawl space is now fully accessible, safe, and built for future maintenance.

The homeowner now has:

• Stronger structural support
• Improved roof protection
• Added interior storage
• Safe and proper crawl space access
• Clean and professional construction throughout

Why Proper Planning Matters for Structural Projects?

Projects involving structural changes, crawl space construction, and load bearing walls require clear planning and communication. Having a detailed plan ensures the homeowner and contractor are aligned before work begins.

Zavza Seal specializes in complex residential projects that require careful sequencing and structural expertise.