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I’m currently remodeling a basement family room. And figure while I have everything torn to pieces, now would be a good time to investigate getting those hideous lally (lolly?) colums removed. But before I call a contractor and waste his time estimating a job that would prove to be too expensive anyway, I figure maybe I better get an idea of what’s involved. So I’m looking for feedback from some of you folks . . .
Here’s the picture: Split level (tri-level) built in 1987. Beam spans the basement from outside foundation wall (beam pocket in the block wall) to inside wall seperating fully below grade basement from the family room which is in the lower level of the home. (1/2 exposed, 1/2 below grade) Total span 22 feet. Currently the beam is made up of 3 2×12 supported by two lally columns (effectively dividing the span into thirds). The beam supports three bedrooms and two baths in the single story above. I want to get rid of these lally colums. Obviously, this requires a new beam.
But where should I start? LVL?? Micro lam?? Steel??? I would think that the steel might have to be sized too large to span this distance. Don’t know about the engineered wood products.
So I know that someone with some engineering knowledge or knowledge of span tables will have to figure this up. I don’t have a problem with that.
But is this job really as simple as figuring the size of the new beam, supporting the house with temp walls, and swapping out the beam?? It would seem so. But I’m not seasoned at this stuff either. So like I said, just looking for advice, feedback, etc. Before I call a contractor (who has done excellent work and comes highly reccommended by some folks I trust)and waste his time only to find out that the project isn’t affordable to start with.
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
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i ... while I have everything torn to pieces, now would be a good time ...
Chris - You have come down with a case of 'Midas well' or 'Whilewereatititis' - two serious diseases that have plagued many homeowners.
There are two cures:
(1) Don't do it. Tart up the columns. Go on vacation with the $5,000 you'll save by not doing cure #2.
(2) Hire an engineer. Major steel beam with steel columns and footings at either end (that's right, you can't bear on the wall). Go to the ends of the span and envision cutting open the floor for 3' x 3' x 12" deep footings (okay, 2'), getting concrete into the basement, not to mention probably a heavy W12 or W14 beam (split to a splice bolt connection to avoid cutting a hole in your foundation wall), etc. Temporary shoring/support while erecting. Do you want to lose the beam drop? Extensive work to flush frame (not worth it).
Cure #1 looks pretty good, doesn't it?
Jeff
*". . . .that's right, you can't bear on the wall . . ."Just had to be the bearer of bad news didn't ya Jeff?? Well that little tidbit, while certainly logical, just never crossed my mind. Guess that's why I make my paycheck in finance and not construction huh??Thanks for responding though. Now all I gotta do is find a way to spruce up them there columns . . . . Mebbe rethink the new floorplan and hide them in a wall or something. . . . .
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I'm currently remodeling a basement family room. And figure while I have everything torn to pieces, now would be a good time to investigate getting those hideous lally (lolly?) colums removed. But before I call a contractor and waste his time estimating a job that would prove to be too expensive anyway, I figure maybe I better get an idea of what's involved. So I'm looking for feedback from some of you folks . . .
Here's the picture: Split level (tri-level) built in 1987. Beam spans the basement from outside foundation wall (beam pocket in the block wall) to inside wall seperating fully below grade basement from the family room which is in the lower level of the home. (1/2 exposed, 1/2 below grade) Total span 22 feet. Currently the beam is made up of 3 2x12 supported by two lally columns (effectively dividing the span into thirds). The beam supports three bedrooms and two baths in the single story above. I want to get rid of these lally colums. Obviously, this requires a new beam.
But where should I start? LVL?? Micro lam?? Steel??? I would think that the steel might have to be sized too large to span this distance. Don't know about the engineered wood products.
So I know that someone with some engineering knowledge or knowledge of span tables will have to figure this up. I don't have a problem with that.
But is this job really as simple as figuring the size of the new beam, supporting the house with temp walls, and swapping out the beam?? It would seem so. But I'm not seasoned at this stuff either. So like I said, just looking for advice, feedback, etc. Before I call a contractor (who has done excellent work and comes highly reccommended by some folks I trust)and waste his time only to find out that the project isn't affordable to start with.
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.