Replacing Beam Next to Fireplace
I was replacing the hardwood floors of the 1st floor (basement for DOB) in my brownstone and I found that some of my beans or joists had being eating by the POWDERPOST BEETLES. The most critical one is supporting 3 beans and is attached to 2 others beans next to a non-working fireplace. The floors…
I was replacing the hardwood floors of the 1st floor (basement for DOB) in my brownstone and I found that some of my beans or joists had being eating by the POWDERPOST BEETLES. The most critical one is supporting 3 beans and is attached to 2 others beans next to a non-working fireplace. The floors I removed were not uneven.
–I’d really appreciate any advice on how to replace or reinforce- this bean.
This is a link to some pictures
http://s423.photobucket.com/albums/pp314/juanchodiaz/bean/?action=view¤t=8422f727.pbw
The measurements of the weaken wood bean are 4×8 6 foot long (this is a real 4 inches wide and real 8 inches high, 100 year old piece of wood).
This is the basement floor, bellow there is a 7-foot high cellar, and above there is the parlor floor and a second floor as well. The house has a brick frame.
I had some general contractors to take a look at it but I would like to have the opinion of an engineer or somebody that has experience replacing/ fixing beans or joist from brownstones and knows how to calculate the load of a beans.
Bellow are the advices I was given already.
Option 1
Leave the old bean, put 2 new 2x 8 Douglas fir wood bean 10 inches away from the old one and attached the bean with galvanize top flange joist hanger. My doubts are: 1a) is Douglas fir strong enough? 1b) should a stronger grain or use engineered laminated wood bean instead?
1c) Are galvanized top flange joist hanger strong enough or should I have an iron shop to fabricate a special L shape flange and use bolts to tight this new bean.-
Option 2
Same as option 1 but use a metal bean instead of wood. This option is very expensive and I’m not sure if it’s worth it. Is this bean carrying a big load since it’s holding 3 other beans (floor joist) and there is 2 more floors above in the brownstone that justified to use metal?
Option 3
Reinforce the old bean with a C channel underneath and have a special iron hanger to hold the C channel to the lateral beans beans. I did not found any iron shop that wanted to do that yet.
Any advice would be very much appreciated since I’d like to have my floors back.
Thank you in advance.
Dennis at Guerreros Inc On Wyckoff Ave can tell you what you need to do. Either they can do the work or, if the job is too small for them, they can recommend someone experienced with this type of repair. They are honest, experienced, and reasonably priced. You should also call an exterminator if you have not already done so, to figure out if theinfestation is active and to treat it while the area is open. I’ve done similar work with termites and beams and joist in my cellar.
if you do not understand basic construction technique, hire an engineer…it is not a job for amatuers
I was unable to follow your link, don’t quite follow your text however I can offer general advice.
We have replaced and repaired many old joists in similar situations.
If the mortise and tenon connection has split or is missing, joist hangers will be sufficient, or replacement of joist with typical new fir KD (doubled).
Old buildings were low tech in their traditional design and construction techniques. Attention to detail and the basic physics of the repair is more important than hi tech materials (parralams etc).
KISS rules in all these matters.
bruceatjerseydata.net
There is a company that makes several engineered wood products that may fit your needs. It is called Trus Joist. http://www.ilevel.com/ is where you can obtain product and purchase information. I believe there is a company on Long Island who will deliver to Brooklyn. You could also buy and old structural bea(n) from M. Fine lumber in Brooklyn. Should have a 4 x 8 in similar Doug Fir or even better in Long Leaf Pine.
Thank you for the proofreading my post.
I found a respond to an old post in this website where somebody recommended to use LVL (laminated veneer lumber), because it’s a mortise-and-tenon floating in midair and filled with bricks in front of my fireplace.
Should I use an LVL?
Anybody can recommend a place to buy LVL in Brooklyn? Does it come in 4×8?
Will a LUS/HUS Double Shear Joist Hanger from Simpson will work? Or i’ll need a L shape flange made by a iron shop?
Thank you,
Rice and beans
all those beans are giving me indigestion…
Beans or BEAMS?