Read with interest comments by all in johnbaum "Basement Main Beam Replacement".
I've got a slightly different situation.
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Background
The main beam is a sandwiched beam (two 2 X 13's) that runs the length of the home (about 50 feet). Each side of the main beam made up of two beams (approx 25 feet in length). They are bolted together as required. There are five concrete piers (16 x 16 block) supporting this main beam. The floor area is dirt as it is a crawl space.
The south side beam splice (joint) rests on a foundation support. However the north side beam splice (joint) does NOT rest on any support.
Problem
The main beam is starting to split on the bottom by the north side main beam splice (joint). To make matter worse, it appears the beams had a large crown when installed such that the low point exists where the north side splice (joint) exists.
I initially thought to put a steel beam or engineered beam between the footings
where the north side split (sag) occurs. However, to do this would require the floor to be raised and I believe this would impact the roof trusses sitting on the top plate of the interior walls That is as the floor is raised, the roof trusses (2x4's on bottom of truss) would be lifted and may crack or the truss splice (which rests approx over the main floor beam location) may give way.
My second thought was to put a 6 inch channel under where the splitting is occurring
(channel would extend well past the split area) and install two jacks. However, where I need to place the jacks, there are water lines buried underneath the earthen floor.
Suggestions Requested
Any suggestions would be appreciated -- other than hire an engineer -- which I believe I believe will result in the response of "tear down the interior walls and jack up the floor"
I've got a slightly different situation.
===========================
Background
The main beam is a sandwiched beam (two 2 X 13's) that runs the length of the home (about 50 feet). Each side of the main beam made up of two beams (approx 25 feet in length). They are bolted together as required. There are five concrete piers (16 x 16 block) supporting this main beam. The floor area is dirt as it is a crawl space.
The south side beam splice (joint) rests on a foundation support. However the north side beam splice (joint) does NOT rest on any support.
Problem
The main beam is starting to split on the bottom by the north side main beam splice (joint). To make matter worse, it appears the beams had a large crown when installed such that the low point exists where the north side splice (joint) exists.
I initially thought to put a steel beam or engineered beam between the footings
where the north side split (sag) occurs. However, to do this would require the floor to be raised and I believe this would impact the roof trusses sitting on the top plate of the interior walls That is as the floor is raised, the roof trusses (2x4's on bottom of truss) would be lifted and may crack or the truss splice (which rests approx over the main floor beam location) may give way.
My second thought was to put a 6 inch channel under where the splitting is occurring
(channel would extend well past the split area) and install two jacks. However, where I need to place the jacks, there are water lines buried underneath the earthen floor.
Suggestions Requested
Any suggestions would be appreciated -- other than hire an engineer -- which I believe I believe will result in the response of "tear down the interior walls and jack up the floor"
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