Steel Beams to Support Joists?

15 years ago

I live in an old 1920's colonial. We have a first floor great room that is 20 x 30, with a three inch sag in the center of the ceiling. We are having the upstairs rooms remodeled and when our contractor pulled up the floor, he found the joist notched, bowed, and toenailed (one corner of the house under the bathroom has joists running perpendicular to the rest of the joists). He has told us we need to have two steel beams installed, one under the main joists and another under the perpendicular joists under the bathroom. He is going to cut the joists once the beam is installed, and therefore thinks he can jack the house up within a few days. He has torn down the interior plaster walls upstairs, and so only the exterior walls are at risk. Cost is about $5500.

Does this seem reasonable? The price doesn't seem crazy, but I haven't seen much online about the use of steel beams. Can you jack the house up more quickly if you are cutting the joists and the walls are open? Should I be worried that he's going to rest these two beams on the cinderblocks within the chimney? Obviously I'm not an expert, so I appreciate any advice.

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Comments (9)

stash-hdy
15 years ago
I would recommend you hire a structural engineer to review the contractorÃ¯Â¿Â½s plans. Don't understand your comment on the contractor cutting the joists, will he sister new joists to the old joists. Are their local permits in place for this renovation? Hard to comment on using the chimney cinderblocks since its support structure may not have been evaluated, the structural engineer can answer that question. If this part of the renovation is not done correctly there will be major issue later so have it evaluated by a professional engineer.
wittyjoe
Original Author
15 years ago
He's cutting the joists since there will be joist memory, so he believes cutting them will remove downward pressure between the steel beams and joists. I know the contractor has been talking to a structural engineer, but it sounds like I should have him come out to evaluate things in person. Thanks!
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sdello
15 years ago
I would have the enginner sketch out the procedure and show the existing framing with the modifications superimposed so that the whole process (including the construction sequence) is documented. The engineer should also sign and seal the drawings.

Is the local building official involved?
wittyjoe
Original Author
15 years ago
The contractor is leaving involving the inspector up to me. He thinks the inspector is worthless because he doesn't really know. He says we could involved a structural engineer, but it will cost $500 to have him come out and put his seal on the drawings. He guarantees the engineer will agree with him. He's confident of his plan and he's accepting all liability (in writing) for what he proposes. He has insurance and he's been great to work with. I trust him, but the scope of this makes me nervous.
stash-hdy
15 years ago
Warranties are only good if the contractor is still in business. Structural problems will not show immediately they will start to show as cracks, unlevel surfaces, etc. Also as a structural element there could be a structural collapse. The $500 is cheap relative to the cost of a redo. Have the engineer come out, document and sign/seal as suggested earlier. I would also suggest you get local inspectors looking at the work. Where I live if you don't get permits and itÃ¯Â¿Â½s noticed you will be asked to pull the permits with the inspector having the right to do a tear down to inspect.
stash-hdy
15 years ago
One other point it's never a good idea to cut the joints since it lessens its weight load capacity and may cause bounce. If itÃ¯Â¿Â½s done then the joist needs to be sistered to add back the strength. Get the engineer out!!

Below is a web page that described sistering.

http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Flooring/Floor-Repair/how-to-make-structural-repairs-by-sistering-floor-joists
nugardnrinnc
15 years ago
I've done similar jobs on houses but have always gotten engineers involved, permits or not. Normally my rule of thumb is if it was properly done to begin with than fix what's broke. If it was half-a$$ to start with get an engineer and make sure your loads are properly supported.
brickeyee
15 years ago
What is going to support the steel beams?

You are creating point loads at their ends.
Is the support going to be adequate?
nugardnrinnc
15 years ago
Cutting the joists back is normal when putting steel into the floor, to allow room for the steel. After the steel is in you sandwich it with 2x's bolted through and reattach joist to them. As brick said load points are the biggest concern. Engineer is a must, I personally don't put much faith in inspectors I've seen way to much get by them, and they use engineer's drawings to make sure it's done right