I spotted a massive crack in the foundation at that abandoned grist mill near Asheville last weekend

If you're planning to explore that old water-powered mill off Blue Ridge Parkway for sketching or photos, stay clear of the east wall because the whole thing is tilting and could give out anytime - has anyone else noticed other spots there getting unstable?

3 comments

3 Comments

michael_jenkins399d ago

Stay away from that whole east side. Old water mills always have foundation issues from the constant moisture. That crack you saw probably runs deeper than you think. Check the floor joists inside too if you go back. They rot out from the bottom up in these buildings. Bring a crowbar to test any floorboards before you put your full weight down.

rubysingh9d ago

Bring a crowbar to test any floorboards" - that's smart advice, but nobody's mentioned checking the overhead beams too. Those mills used heavy machinery on upper floors, and rotted support beams from roof leaks have taken down more than a few of these buildings. Cracks in the foundation might be the least of your worries if the whole second floor decides to come down on your head.

rubyshah9d ago

And have you actually looked at the roof line from the outside yet? I know someone who bought a mill property and didn't notice the ridge was sagging until they were inside and could see daylight through the gap in the ceiling beams. A lot of these old buildings have this weird trick where the roof looks fine from the ground but the support structure is basically sawdust at this point. Did you happen to notice any shingles or tiles missing up there, or any dark stains on the ceiling inside? That would tell me more than half the cracks in the foundation combined.