I am doing a bath remodel and the client wants a jacuzzi tub, right here! Right here, there is a major beam running the length of the house. (its pier and beam). The jacuzzis’ drain land right on the beam, (double 2×6). I need a solution. The joist are no problem, I would cut it out like installing a skylite or attic stairwell. But the beam worries me. My plumber keeps insisting that if you cut it you just need to support either side of the beam. I dont like it! I know its possible , I just wont take the word of a plumber. He carries an axe, you know. (wink) I am thinkng if I did it I would need to pour some footing below each cut, maybe 12″x12″ by 18″ deep. SUpport each side of the cut and after ward sister on some 2x 6s. Any help would be appreciated
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
The RealTruck AMP Research Bedsteps give you easy access to your truck-bed storage.
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
Sounds to me like you got it handled. Will there be an official inspection o this? What the inspector says is all that matters. Happy Thanksgiving.......
make one long beam into 2 shorter beams if you can support the 2 new end loads.....
raise the tub.......
shift the tub/layout.......
with the beam...one way or another...gotta put back what ya take out......
the plumber may be right...but I'd have someone that knows for sure take a look!
.........maybe even 2 cross beams to carry the loads to the other side walls...........
Jeff
..............Al-ways look on......the bright......side of life...........
.......whistle.....whistle.......whistle........
If you could raise the tub up onto a sort of platform either one or two steps high you may be able to plumb around the beam using elbows to bring the drain line away from the beam. You can sell it to the customer by being honest saying its going to be cheaper then structural work to support the beam and it makes the tub more dramatic.
As to hacking out the beam, I would talk to an inspector or an engineer before you let the plumber go with his ax lol
The title "Cutting a Beam" Really grabs my attention, as I'm sure you would understand. Just like the one this morning with the word "Strippers" in it. (It was about paint strippers, unfortunately)
Before I would recommend a fix, I'd be concerned about what exactly the beam is carrying. Could be that it's no big deal, or it could be pretty serious. I'd rather see you get some knowledgeable out there to look it over.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing.
An engineer or someone with darn good framing knowledge needs to see it. Plumbers actually take classes in how to screw up structures, I think. The beam might not only be hoilding things up but keeping them from spreading apart. Even if only hold up against gravity, the legs you put under cut ends to support it must ransfer that load all the wat to the foundation. Avereage house - no sweat but I've seen some where a special pad would need to be provided. The engineer will need to know the volume of water that will be added weight too..
Excellence is its own reward!
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit.
The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are."
--Marcus Aurelius