*
I have a space where two doors to our basement formed an “L”. I have removed these doors and would like to remove the beam at the corner of the “L” where the two doors met. I am trying to determine whether or not it serves any structural purpose. From the basement, it doesn’t look like there is anything under the space besides the regular floor joists. There is a bedroom above this space, but there isn’t a wall resting above – it is just the ceiling/floor and then air space of the bedroom. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Listeners write in about haunted pipes and building-science tomes, and they ask questions about roof venting and roof leaks.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
*
Lets see if I understand this. You want someone who has never seen your site and who may or may not know what they are talking about and who has never seen your situation to tell you if the house will fall down when you remove a beam?
Come on now! Don't be so cheap(sorry I mean frugal). Hire an engineer who can see the thing and because you are paying him has a personal interest in getting it done right.
...Sorry to be so abrubt but it really is next to worthless to get advise on this kind of thing from someone who can't see and evaluate the total package.
*Chris, So you are still working on that thing. Will you ever be done?If there are no walls above, and if the joists resting on the beam are the same size and span as the joists not resting on the beam, and if the joists are not spliced over the beam, then it is not bearing.
*I gotta go with Fred........Don't cheap out by trying to ask us.Have someone who knows what they are looking at look at it.If you can't afford it, I understand. If that is the case, don't do anything. Ed. Williams
*Prior to pulling the column:*Kick the wife and kids out of the house.*Put on a hard hat.*Set up a tripod in the basement, aim the camcorder towards you and press "record".*If there is anything you have ever wanted to tell your boss but were too timid to do so, look into the camcorder and speak away.*Turn on your cellphone and dial 9-1. Keep your thumb over the "1" key.*Pull out the column.For style points, especially important since you're recording this, don't scream if the house caves in.Seriously, if the column is not holding up a beam that runs perpendicular to the joists it is probably not load bearing. Not intended as an insult, but if you honestly have to ask you need to bring someone in to take a peek. If you yank it and nothing happens, you saved a $50 peek. If you yank it and anything happens, you're in a deep hole. A deep, expensive hole. My advice is to call someone in to take a look.
*Ditto with Fred and Dallas. If you don't know, then don't touch! Any reputable contractor/builder can tell you if it is or not. Call one and have them take a look. If it costs you $50 so what? Your life is worth more than that! Things that look simple, never are. (one of Murphy's Laws)Davo.