Center Beam in Basement

We bought an attached house knowing the 40′ beam in the basement was twisting. The inspector said we should replace it within five years, and it’s been two and a half. He also recommended a steel beam, but others have said wood. So, three questions: steel or wood? how much should we expect to pay? and how long will the work take?

DouglasAlan

in About Brooklyn 11 years and 8 months ago

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handyrenny | 11 years and 7 months ago

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Hi, I would recommend still, we know a couple places where you can order the beam, we will charge you for the only for the work and it shouldn’t take more than 4 days. Call us for a estimate Renny 646-221-9147

daveinbedstuy | 11 years and 8 months ago

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Inspectors will always err on the cautious side. A twisted beam, depending upon how twisted isn’t really an issue if it is still doing its job in supporting the joists. If there are some joists that it is not properly supporting, that can always be remedied by adding one or more posts to jack up the beam there or, shimming in between the beam and the joists. A 40′ beam is a long beam and replacing it with either steel or an LVL beam won’t be cheap. More important is the structural integrity of the posts supporting the beam. A rotting beam is no good but twisted, in and of itself, may not really be an issue.