replacing wall with beam

[vbhouten]

We are in the process of a basement remodel and I have a few questions regarding support beams. Excuse me if I get lengthy but I want to give as much info as possible.

Our house is a 1970's split entry - raised ranch - split level (depending on where you live). You go in the front door and up 1/2 flight to the main level or down 1/2 flight to the basement and garage.

Currently the house is supported by a beam (2 sandwiched 2x10's) in the basement running parallel to the roof ridge and supported in several places by posts. The house is 45 ft long and 30 feet deep. The first post is steel and in the garage about 9 feet from the south exterior wall. The next post is several sandwiched 2x's inside the wall separating the garage from the basement. From there the beam runs about 6 feet to a post (again 2x's). From here there is a 5 foot wall to another 2x post. This wall does not support the posts - it is just built between them. Then a about a 9 foot beam to the north exterior wall.

The only apparent reason for the wall is that it partitioned off a closet and has some electrical wires running to an outlet in the wall and some tv cable wires.

Here are my questions:

Could there be another reason for using the wall and not having used a longer beam with posts? Ideally we would like to remove the post closest to the north wall with one that would support the house to the other post in the basement. Basically the 9 foot beam and the 5 foot wall would be combined into one beam with no supports in the middle. The second post is ok since it will be part of a new wall.

Could the wall be replaced by a new beam supported by the posts on either end and just leave to posts there? I am pretty sure we could learn to live with it since it will just be a play room now and a teenage hang out when the kids are older. Do you think this would be just as expensive as replacing with a longer beam?

We are now considering doing this project ourselves and replacing just the wall with a beam seems to be more within our range of abilities - no beam calculations. It seems that if the wall supports what is above it then a 5 ft beam would do the same. Am I way off here?

Thanks for you patience.

Valerie

[mjpliv]

Whenever you consider altering the basic support structure of the largest investment you will probably ever make, I would suggest a visit to a qualified engineer . $100.00 or so for quality structural advice seems fair.

[colonial carpentry]

It's just a thought but the builders may have needed the wall to run some cold air returns or 3 1/2 inch drain pipe through, you check this out from underneath the wall ,in the basement or crawl space.It is hard to visualize exactly what you have in your home from the description.I have heard many Do it your selfers tell me that they call a contractor out to give a free estimate on the job,while he or she is at your place pick their brain on everything that they can do and cannot do----presto you have free advice from a professional and can probably do the job yourself based on his info depending on your capabilities.I'll probably catch some heck for that suggestion but a fact is a fact.good luck.

[colonial carpentry]

Disregard the first portion of my statement,its been a long day for me,after i reread your post i realized that the said wall is in the basement-----correct?if so you are not far off with your presumption that the wall can be replaced with a new beam,if you do this ,a hydraulic jack and some temporary support is going to be necessary. Be careful and i still recommend speaking to a pro before you attempt the job.

[vbhouten]

I have taken all the drywall off and there is nothing inside the wall execpt some wires. Several floor joists crisscross over the top of the wall. I guess we will have someone do this for us IF we can get them to show up and IF we can get them to finish the job. I am just blowing off steam because it seems that contractors around here (upstate NY) are not very reliable.

Thanks for the info.

Valerie

[vbhouten]

Another question - where are you that the engineers should be about $100. I called several and they are talking around $700-$1000 to come look at it.

Valerie

[Rich]

:shock:
Geesh I had an engineer that would stamp drawings for me for that much.

[mjpliv]

If you go to an engineering firm with a name like Winkum, Blinkum & Nod they will probably charge you 100 bucks just to sit in the lobby and read a magazine. Look around for an engineer who will design components on his own time by the hour (around here its $50.00 to $75.00 CDN an hour). If your building authority does not require a stamped design then don't ask for one. The addition of an engineer's stamp would cost me another $200 - $300 cdn.

To design a single component (in this case a beam) it should only take about 1/2 an hour. I would spend the other half hour talking about the existing footings and the effect of the new loads.

[mjpliv]

Different types of engineering support -

Project engineering - Engineering support for the entire project from design to occupancy - Bring a large wheelbarrow full of money.

Plan engineering - Will review existing building plans, calculate the loads from the roof to the footings and specify the rafter size and spacing (or review the roof truss specs) , the joist size and spacing, size the beams and columns, design special beam/column connections, design any concrete piers, foundation walls and footings. - Bring a small bucket of money

Assembly engineering - Usually required for beam-on-beam applications ,a single suspended concrete slab or any other isolated assembly within a project. Depending on the complexity of the assembly it may cost as little as $100 or in excess of $1000

Component engineering - Just what the word says. Sizing a footing, column or a beam. Might cost as little as a couple of beers or as much as a couple of hundred dollars.

[vbhouten]

Thanks for the info.

Valerie