When to Reinforce Floor Beams?
I think the beams in our kitchen floor (on the garden floor of a 1896 brownstone) need to be reinforced. The floor slopes towards the back of the house, and I get nervous walking around on it. My sense is that the previous owners put in a heavy sink/island, and it’s affecting the beams. Then…
I think the beams in our kitchen floor (on the garden floor of a 1896 brownstone) need to be reinforced. The floor slopes towards the back of the house, and I get nervous walking around on it. My sense is that the previous owners put in a heavy sink/island, and it’s affecting the beams. Then again, this may be a purely psychological reaction… Can anyone recommend a contractor/woodworker to explore this for us? We would appreciate hearing from other homeowners about brownstone floor/beam issues. Thanks!
I just had a problem of this nature. But it turned out to be a rotten support beam. I used Kijana at WMC to change it. Im sure he would come out at take a look. Number is 9175446791
If you open the ceiling from the basement you should be able to see what is causing the problem. I think the above posters are probably right. I see this problem often when plumbers are in a rush to run their pipe. As a general rule pipes can often be installed through beams as long as it is a hole in the middle of the beam and not a cut out from the sides. Another thing when you inspect your ceiling, check your beams for termite damage at the back wall, facing your yard.
sounds like you need a structural engineer. (sorry no one to recommend)
Hi there –
houses settle over time or maybe somebody cut the beams part-way to install the plumbing for that sink. We were redoing our bathroom had a prob due to the latter and we used John, an irish carpenter ( cell 917 886 9576 ) It turned out that two beams had been cut through at some point and what remained had been compromised by water damage but all is good and level now.
Susan.