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April 19, 2007
Sistering to the main support beam in our 3 story brick house
Advice sought on replacing center beam:
Is it ok to put a 6x6 steel beam NEXT to the existing wood beam?
The beam is in great condition except for the back end which supports the back wall of our house.
Our contractor plans to put a new beam next to the old, running 3/4 of the way, 3 support columns cemented 6 " into the ground.
Does this sound right?
I would love any advice I could get since I plan on doing this next week along with other work we are doing in the basement.
Thanks!
Comments
To my untrained (ear? eye?) this seems far more reasonable than the proposal in someonme else's post the other day in which the contractor wanted to remove the center beam without support (like the old magician's trick of removing the tablecloth without the dishes -- don't try it at home). However, my advice there stands here as well; rely on us Brownstoner commenters only for general guidance. Make sure someone that you hire with a license (architect, engineer, etc.) to tell you whether this is ok tells you it is ok.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 19, 2007 12:30 PM
ugh, do I really need an arch or eng? I would love to and I'm sure it would be useful, but I am so poor right now. I need to do some other work because of the recent deluge of water this week, and by doing the beam now I can save a few $$.
I figured that leaving the old beam in place would make this a less risky operation.
How much would an engineer cost?
Posted by: anon at April 19, 2007 12:55 PM
I forgot to add:
I did hire an engineer 4 ys ago when we bought the house, and this is what he recommended.
I'm finally getting around to doing it and was hoping not to have to hire another engineer
Posted by: anon at April 19, 2007 12:59 PM
I think all things related to structure of buildings require a licenced engineer/architect submitting plans to the city for approval.
Posted by: Girgis at April 19, 2007 2:40 PM
It sounds ok to me if I'm reading correctly. If you want to post your email address here, I can try to make my husband write to you over the weekend. He's a structural engineer, but he doesn't have time to read the site. I'll also try to get him to post something, but don't count on it until Sunday.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 20, 2007 8:53 AM
HI, Thanks, that would be great. Maybe I could hire him to come over and look at a few of our upcoming projects if I can budget it in.
I am : anabananany@yahoo.com
Posted by: anon at April 20, 2007 10:15 AM
Nothing wrong with running them side by side. Make him pour a footing for the columns (say, 2x2x2).
Posted by: Anonymous at April 20, 2007 3:37 PM
you did not mentioned that the ibeam is going in the basement or first floor...and whats the lenth of the beam..... if you already have the wood joists then go with LVL or MICRO LAM at leat 2x12 depending on the load...but definately not with 6x6 beam.
Posted by: Ali at April 20, 2007 10:11 PM
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