Originally Posted By: Timothy Pope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Crawled under my first pier and beam foundation today and this is what the center supports looked like. Bearing less than a 1/2" on the concrete blocks which rest on a poured pier, the girders main support is this lumber that is wedged under the girder and resting on the pier. Can some of you give an opinion on how you’d write this up? Sorry, these were the only pics taken.
Originally Posted By: scieslewicz This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Tim,
It's wrong. You're right. The main beam cannot bear like that. Looks as though a piece of wood (4x4?) was put next to the pier to compensate. The problem with doing that is 1.) chances are that's not how the architect designed it, 2.) there's probably nothing underneath the wood column (a footing) to help carry and distribute the weight.
Essentially the block is doing nothing. Personally, if this is new construction, I'd have the builder consult the architect or engineer and get a correction with their signature on it.
Originally Posted By: ccoombs This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
This is a major problem! With the size of the girder, I would guess it is holding up a major part of the house. Only an engineered fix will do, in my opinion. This would qualify as a “life / safety issue” in my book.
Originally Posted By: phinsperger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Timothy Pope wrote:
Can some of you give an opinion on how you'd write this up?
Every defect written up should contain the following elements. The order is not important as long as your narrative has all the elements.
1) Identify the Component 2) Describe the function of the component 3) Describe the defect 4) How the defect will impact the client 5) How the defect should be corrected (note: this is different from speculating on solutions) 6) Who should correct the defect 7) When the defect should be corrected (amount of urgency)
Quote:
A supportingwood beamis not sufficiently supported. This will reduce the load bearing capacity of the beam.Have the bearing for beam evaluatedby a structural engineerbefore putting any weight on the floor.
Also, in the pics it looks like the beam is made up to 2x4's laminated together horizontally rather than 2x? laminated vertically. Never seen that before. Unless its engineered I would also have an issue with that.
Originally Posted By: rcooke This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Timothy states
Crawled under my first pier and beam foundation today and this is what the center supports looked like. Bearing less than a 1/2" on the concrete blocks which rest on a poured pier, the
I would write it up as Immediate, Repair or replace ,Support post in crawl space,, incorrect insulation further evaluation by qualified person .
Roy Cooke sr .
Originally Posted By: rwashington This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I am confused. Some of you are saying it is a defect and now a couple of you are calling it a Glu Lam and correct. Am I missing something? Respectfully, it does not appear to be a Glu Lam.
Originally Posted By: Timothy Pope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
All of the supports were of concrete block, just the first one pictured had the board wedged between the poured footing (not visible in pic) and the beam for additional support. All of the others only supported less than 25% of the beam width as well.
By the way, this is new construction, completed <2 months ago.
Originally Posted By: kmcmahon This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Maybe I’m not understanding the 1st photo…looks like a wooden support column directly behind the masonry one. Why 2? is the masonry pier even needed? If not, there’s nothing wrong.
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
kmcmahon wrote:
Jeff, that looks to be an epoxy topping on those blocks, so treated may not be needed IMO.
I thought that mesh looked familiar.
In any case, the bearing is a problem that should be addressed by the builder. I would also recommend that pictures of the condition be sent to the local AHJ (just for good measure).
-- Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738
Originally Posted By: scieslewicz This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Timothy,
Jeff's recommendation to show the pictures to the AHJ is a good one. You'll probably be hated or loved for it though (or perhaps you've done this before?). Since you stated the house is 2 months old, someone signed off the C of O. There is a structural problem there and it needs to be addressed. They need to know and the builder needs to know that it can't happen either!!
Originally Posted By: scieslewicz This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi All,
It does not matter if is a glulam, LVL or a 2x4. What you need to understand is that the block pier is there with a footing under it. The beam is supposed to be on that!! And having a small edge on the pier doesn't do anything. That beam carries weight and the weight is transferred to the pier, down to the footing and subsequently to the ground. It is not installed properly!!!
This is a wonderful example of... if it doesn't look right it probably isn't!!
