Basement Support Beam Cracks

5 years ago

Hello. I have a main support beam in my basement with some cracks where a steam pipe goes through. The support beam is 5 2xsomethings together, and the steam pipe cuts through the bottom 1/3. 2 of the 5 boards have some cracking at the bottom. What are the potential solutions. Maybe adding an additional basement support post underneath? Below a pic of the pipe, which is much smaller than it looks due to the asbestos wrapping.

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Comments (3)

PRO
HALLETT & Co.
5 years ago
Why we don't let plumbers alter framing... Yes a support post directly under the load will be easiest... (I hope that isn't asbestos)
Jake The Wonderdog
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Wow, just wow!

So, no big surprise that if you cut through a support beam it will fail. That could have easily gone in the joist bay instead.

You can buy inexpensive steel support jacks to support it temporarily on either side and then build a proper support with a concrete base.

And yes, it's a very good bet there's asbestos there in that pipe insulation.
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kudzu9
5 years ago
With those cracks, you may already have some downward deflection in the floor above. When you put in a support post, make sure it's the adjustable type as you may want to slowly raise that area a bit to get things level.