I just moved into a 50’s ranch that has a 7×6 solid main beam with lally columns every 7′. It appears that the beam is crowned about 1/4″ over one of the columns causing a hgh spot in the floor above. All the columns appear in good shape, so I’m unsure what the real cause is. I was thinking of jacking the beam and cutting down the one column to fix the crown. Any thoughts?
D. Carroll
Replies
7x6... odd size, but I assume that's a wood beam?
You could shorten the post. The beam and the floor above will settle fairly quickly if not right away. You may get a little drywall cracking or trim movement above. I'm surprised you can feel a 1/4" hump when you walk the floor above.
I should have mentioned the beam is solid wood, and the crown is right in a hallway entrance. I agree that 1/4" shouldn't be noticeable, which is why I'm posting to ask advice and not chase the wrong problem. There already are some minor drywall cracks, most of which I attribute to the age of the house, some settling, and several "improvements" by previous owners.
without seeing it and surronding conditions here is my guess -
the whole house has settled in by that much. However, with no direct load in the open floor in a hallway, that particular post did not settle as much as all the others.
So you can shorten it a mite, how depends on what kind of post it is.
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did you ever try to straighten the beam?
You may have trouble getting the beam to come down. I did something similar years back and had to pull the beam down with a comealong. The weight of the floor above did not bring the beam down at all. Tried loading the area above, probably not enough weight to work correctly.
Finally I slipped the hook end of a comealong over the beam, bored a thru hole in the wood 6x6 post and stuck a spud wrench thru the hole. Connected the comealong on each side of the spud wrench. Pulled the beam down and held it there with strap ties.
You have lally columns which present a different problem. Not having tried this with lolly columns but might work ,try this if the floor and beam do not come down.
Cut two 2x4 to vertically go against the column top.Hold them in place with wire or strap clamps. Bolt something to the bottom of the 2x4 so you can get a purchase with the comealong. Maybe a piece of angle iron would work,Pull the beam down with the comealong.
Hopefully the beam and floor system will come down after cutting the post and you needn't go to a lot of extra work.
mike