Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 18, 2000 11:27am | #1

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   Hire a contractor (and don't SHOUT)

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 18, 2000 12:15pm | #2

   *What's it holding up, what's it made of, how's it attached now, what's it for, why dod you want to replace it, what are you replacing it with, etc. etc. etc.I suspect that once we have all the information, the answer is gonna still be hire a contractor. This is probably not a DIY job.

2. 
   Brian_Duckett | Jul 18, 2000 02:24pm | #3

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   RYAN C THE BEAM IS HOLDING UP THE OUTSIDE WALL. THE HOUSE WAS BUILT IN 1914
   AND IS MADE OUT OF SAW MILL LUMBER.IT IS TOTALLT ROTTED OUTAND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I NEED TO REPLACE IT WITH. ANY ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I REALIZE I WILL PROBALLY NEED TO HIRE A CONTRACTOR, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROCESS WHEN I GO TO TALK TO ONE.

3. 
   Guest_ | Jul 18, 2000 02:35pm | #4

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   brian.. can't you read the responses... they asked you to STOP SHOUTING !

4. 
   Brian_Duckett | Jul 18, 2000 02:43pm | #5

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   Excuse me for SHOUTING. Mr Mike do you have any advice on my problem

5. 
   Guest_ | Jul 18, 2000 03:16pm | #6

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   Brian,

   I understand your frustration. But please remember that every house is different. No one can give you anything that would be helpful without a lot more information.

   What is the beam's size? (4x6? 6x8?) What is holding the beam up? How far apart are these supports? Is this a one or two story house? Is 59' the entire side of the house, or is there another beam holding up the rest of that wall? Basement or crawl space? You say it's holding up the wall...so what's holding up the first floor? Is this balloon framed? How much has the wall settled due to the beams rotting?

   Answer as many of these as you can, and I'm sure you'll get some good answers back.

   Rich Beckman

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 18, 2000 03:48pm | #7

   *brian.. this is a common problem.. that has a detailed soultion..you can reinforce the beam.. or you can replace it..you have to support the joists on each side of the beam with temporary beams...you slowly jack them until the floor is back to truethen you jack them a little beyond level so you can get teh new beam in..you cut away the old beam and insert the new beam.. let it back down.. and remove your temporary supports..or after you have jacked it .. you can reinforce the rotted beam..BUT.. 10 span for 6x8 is pushing the envelope.. now is the opportunity to install beams that will carry your 2d floor addition... get a designer or engineer to lay it out.. so you have posts where you need them ad the new beam is sized to support the anticipated loadsb but hey, whadda i no ?

6. 
   Brian_Duckett | Jul 18, 2000 03:48pm | #8

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   In response to Rich. The beam size is a 6x8.They are sitting on brick columns approx 10 feet apart, it is a one story house with a full size attic( I had planned on adding a room upstairs). There is approx 2 and a half feet of crawl space.The floor seems to have dropped a inch or so.The beam covers the entire length of the house.

1. 
   Brian_Duckett | Jul 18, 2000 05:17pm | #9

   *In response to Rich. The beam size is a 6x8.They are sitting on brick columns approx 10 feet apart, it is a one story house with a full size attic( I had planned on adding a room upstairs). There is approx 2 and a half feet of crawl space.The floor seems to have dropped a inch or so.The beam covers the entire length of the house.

1. 
   Brian_Duckett | Jul 18, 2000 05:22pm | #10

   *Mike, Thanks for the help.

7. 
   Brian_Duckett | Jul 18, 2000 09:21pm | #11

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   I WOULD LIKE SOME ADVICE ON REPLACING A BEAM. IT IS ON THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE
   AND ITS TOTAL LENGTH IS 59 FEET. HOW DO YOU REPLACE IT? THIS BEAM IS RIGHT UNDER THE EXTERIOR WALLS.

8. 
   Guest_ | Jul 18, 2000 09:21pm | #12

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   Or:
   Leave the beam where and how it is.

   Install a steel (or could be wood I guess) beam along side the existing beam using new footings and columns.

   Still requires the same jacking but it's often easier to build new beside the old instead of trying to get something to fit in the old space, especially if the old beam is undersized.

   If you're exterior wall bears directly on the beam you've got, I'd probably not want to add on along side but would prefer to replace.

   There's still alot we don't know and without seeing it, poking the beam with a screwdriver, and climbing under your house, we just can't get more specific.