MelodyLeanne
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- Oct 25, 2007
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Ok Ive read ALOT of the threads here having to do with moving columns under the support beam in the basement... Here is my question, although I think I may already know (and not like) the answer.
I have a Cape, built in 1926 with a concrete foundation, 40' long from front to back. The main support beam runs smack through the middle of the ceiling in the basement, with a steel post 10' from the exterior wall, another at 10', another at 10' then the exterior wall for a total of 3 steel posts. The footings under the posts are only 12"x12" but I have no cracks in the floor. The beam itself is three 2"x12" put together, staggered. The basement has been completely framed, with a 2x4 framed wall under the center of the support beam to divide the space in the basement from utility area and what Im hoping will be finished space. This wall is approximately 15 feet long, and goes from the first steel post to halfway between the 2nd and 3rd steel posts, where it stops at the stairs. What I would like to do, is add two more posts, equal distances on each side of the 3rd post, then remove the old 3rd post from between them. This would give me 4 support posts, beginning with a post 10' from exterior wall, 10' to a post, then 5' to a post, another 5' to a post, and 5' to exterior wall. The load bearing wall on the first floor of the house is directly above the beam, running the entire length of the house, with 2 standard doorways. The second floor of the house has two walls going perpendicular to the main beam, separating the bedrooms from the stairs. The brick chimney runs up beside the stairs. My roof is not trussed, and there is nothing but insulation in the attic crawl.
Will this compromise the structure of my house? If not, do I have to pour footings, or can the new posts be attached to the beam and the concrete floor? Do I have to use steel, or is a 6" x 6" wood post sufficient? And lastly, Ive seen this question asked, but not answered. Where do I find a structural engineer???
Thanks!
I have a Cape, built in 1926 with a concrete foundation, 40' long from front to back. The main support beam runs smack through the middle of the ceiling in the basement, with a steel post 10' from the exterior wall, another at 10', another at 10' then the exterior wall for a total of 3 steel posts. The footings under the posts are only 12"x12" but I have no cracks in the floor. The beam itself is three 2"x12" put together, staggered. The basement has been completely framed, with a 2x4 framed wall under the center of the support beam to divide the space in the basement from utility area and what Im hoping will be finished space. This wall is approximately 15 feet long, and goes from the first steel post to halfway between the 2nd and 3rd steel posts, where it stops at the stairs. What I would like to do, is add two more posts, equal distances on each side of the 3rd post, then remove the old 3rd post from between them. This would give me 4 support posts, beginning with a post 10' from exterior wall, 10' to a post, then 5' to a post, another 5' to a post, and 5' to exterior wall. The load bearing wall on the first floor of the house is directly above the beam, running the entire length of the house, with 2 standard doorways. The second floor of the house has two walls going perpendicular to the main beam, separating the bedrooms from the stairs. The brick chimney runs up beside the stairs. My roof is not trussed, and there is nothing but insulation in the attic crawl.
Will this compromise the structure of my house? If not, do I have to pour footings, or can the new posts be attached to the beam and the concrete floor? Do I have to use steel, or is a 6" x 6" wood post sufficient? And lastly, Ive seen this question asked, but not answered. Where do I find a structural engineer???
Thanks!