Is it possible to lower beam?
#1
11-30-08, 10:06 PM
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Southeast Ky
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Is it possible to lower beam?
I built a home 2 years ago and I have 2 places where the floor seems "raised". These areas run along a beam that is supported by concrete block columns. I guess they have always been a little higher than the rest of the floor, but are just now showing up (ie. hardwood gaps, cracked tile). This is only happening along the beams. I went under the house and didn't see any signs of foundation problems (cracks in block). The beams in question run approx. 25-30ft and are supported every 6ft on concrete block columns with a footer. The beam is composed of 3 2x12's. My question is this: is it possible to lower this beam to alleviate this problem? I would have get the hydraulic jacks and replace the board (currently a 2x12 laying flat) with one that is planed down a 1/16" or 1/8". I know from reading not to move more than 1/8" a day, but I couldn't find any info on lowering just raising. Thanks in advance for you help.
FYI-the house has a crawlspace, lowest temp I have saw down there is 55 F in winter.
Ray
FYI-the house has a crawlspace, lowest temp I have saw down there is 55 F in winter.
Ray
#2
12-01-08, 05:00 PM
First of all, you'll kill yourself trying to lower those beams. There should be another way to relieve the stress. Are the damaged spots in the floor directly over the columns?
#3
12-01-08, 05:31 PM
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The raised areas are directly over the beams. It runs the whole length of the beams, and on each side of it the floor is a little lower. This not substantial but enough to cause a gap in the hardwood at the crest of it, and a hairline crack in a tile along the same line.
#4
12-01-08, 06:29 PM
Just a thought, I doubt those blocks have moved. What is more probable is the floor stringers have sagged on each side. You could snap a line in the crawl space and be certain what the problem is. If the floor stringers, 2X10s or whatever have shrunk or sagged, lowering the main beam is probably not the right answer. Snap that line or use a laser beam and see what has moved.
Bud
Bud
#5
12-02-08, 06:35 AM
That's what I was thinking, something sagged. The raised joists didn't rise any further. Once you determine what moved, you jack up that area and reenforce it.
