03-02-2016, 02:45 PM
I live in small cape cod in Central NJ. I've noticed a lot of the floors have a dip in them as you walk towards the center of the house. A guy came out and measured-- and found that the main beam in the crawl space is actually crowned in the center, not low-- but it's the undersized floor joists-- 2x8s that dry are more like 7 1/8 to 7 1/4. Each joist runs about 11 to 12 feet from the block wall to the center beam.
Because of accessibility, the contractor has suggested 2 laminated beams to run the full width of the foundation (about 30 to 40 feet) and have them split the difference, so there would be one in the front half, one in the back half. They'd then use 6x6s with 1/4" plate steel to distribute the weight on the floor (as not knowing the full depth of the foundation)
They'd use jacks to lift up the center of the span, then put the laminated beams in, hence straightening out the dip.
What do you think this job should go for?
Colin
Because of accessibility, the contractor has suggested 2 laminated beams to run the full width of the foundation (about 30 to 40 feet) and have them split the difference, so there would be one in the front half, one in the back half. They'd then use 6x6s with 1/4" plate steel to distribute the weight on the floor (as not knowing the full depth of the foundation)
They'd use jacks to lift up the center of the span, then put the laminated beams in, hence straightening out the dip.
What do you think this job should go for?
Colin