1,156 sq ft, built in '62. Supports have been added along the front half but I’m not familiar with the make up of the beams. I’ve seen LVL beams used in this manner, but I don’t have experience with this type of manufactured beam (2-2x12s sandwiching a piece of plywood). I thought they were to be glued together, but looking at the ends and how they’re parted I have my doubts. There is also a 5-ft section on one of the beams that doesn’t have any nails. I also don’t believe the beams are properly supported on the ends and there appears to be an unsupported joint. The report will indicate the repairs were made in a non-professional manner and recommend evaluation by a structural specialist, however, I’d like to know a little more about what I’m seeing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
You definitely have some support issues.
But as far as the lumber and the plywood, that is normal. Typically they sandwich a 1/2" piece of plywood between the two to get the dimension closer to 3.5" total width. (To match the width of a 2x4 if it needs to be concealed in the wall)
However, they should be nailed about every foot with 7 or 8 nails in each row. I may be wrong on the exact numbers, but there should be many more nails in that beam, and supports at the ends, or pocketed into the block.
It shouldnt be cantilevered that much, and the support hanging from above isnt doing any good. that was probably just a temporary support until the beam went in
Just keep your mind open. Is there damage or settling or wavy floors upstairs?
If this was just a little bonus support to make the floor less bouncy, then it may all be fair game. If it’s supporting anything real, it’s wrong.
If you need to check joist spans or beam/header sizing for simple structures you can look it up in IRC code book
I think your on to something. I see piers on one side and foundation along the other. The beam may have been added to take out some sag between two load points.
I just did the same thing on my personal home. I did this More for comfort than any structural concern.
Hey Bryce, Thanks for the tip. It doesn’t appear to be supporting anything real, no load bearing walls. I can see where it would be added to take out some bounce given the age of the home. Thanks!
Hey Lukasz, Definitely info I’ll need to hang onto. Thanks a bunch!
I agree and that is probably all it is, but we are not there. Nothing that needs an engineer, that’s for sure.