Engineered Beams
Wood or steel columns are usually used because of the height of the ceiling
Basement Or Garage Beams And Support Columns
We Jack the areas located up to the level of the surrounding walls or to the original position.
We Install a beam from point A to point B as needed, and dig and pour new footings. We then install support columns under the new or existing beams to hold it permanently in place.
If the concrete under where the support columns are to be placed is not code compliant or the area is on a dirt surface, we will dig and pour a footing for each support column we install.
Where possible and safe, all support columns will match existing and surrounding columns.
Each footing will be at least 20”x20”x12” with re-bar installed in a criss-crossed manner 3 inches off the bottom of the footing.
Steel columns are bolted to the floor using redhead anchors and screws or nails at the top.
Pressure treated columns (usually placed inside the wall) are anchored to the floor with post anchors, if possible, and nails or screws at the top.
Concrete block columns are anchored in the traditional way with, mortar at the base and pressure treated transition boards at the top.
To remove a bearing wall, first we must remove all the sheetrock on both sides, then remove any water lines or electric lines, then proceed with the bracing and installing a new header or beam over the opening between the rooms that is being merged together.
This is the opening linking two room together after all sheetrock and finished carpenter work is complete. The new column on the right under the beam could have been placed inside a wall if the cabinets were not there
Removing a Load Bearing Wall
Removing a load bearing wall can be quite a challenge, as the determination has to be made how the structure will support itself once the wall is removed.
Columns and engineered beams are often needed in order to support the overhead weight of the structure, and the decision of which one to use is made based on the location of where the columns are being placed.
We dig and pour footings, and build columns for a direct load path to the ground. The footings are dug down to hard ground at least 20”x20” wide and 12” deep and we install re-bar in a criss-crossed manner 3 inches off the bottom of the footing. We remove all the sheetrock or wall covering on the wall that is to be removed, and then remove all electric wiring from the same area.
From that point, we remove any other obstacles in the way of making an opening the size agreed upon. We brace the joist system above with approved shoring material, and remove all the framing that is in the wall that we are removing.
We fit the new engineered beam across the opening in the wall and install and align the upright columns under the new beam so there is a load path from the new beam to the ground.
The new beam is permanently secured and the support columns are put in place. We Remove all shoring material.
We do not trim out the beam that we install. There will be a need for a sheetrock finisher, a trim carpenter, and possibly a carpet or hardwood floor man, however we do clean up after our work, everything will be stable, strong, and permanent and ready for the finish work.
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Our Location
Contact us with the info below or submit the contact form.
3009 Mount Paran Church Road
Monroe, GA 30655
404.825.3561