Steel post and beam configuration

[Bob Elliott]

I see this as a standard setup in 1950s brick construction (residential) all the time, but the angle on this made me double take.

OK may have been this way fifty years ,but is this a issue I should point out or just a different configuration.

These beams are always straight ,front to back of the home when I have seen them before.

Should I be concerned?

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Nice paint job on the column Bob.

For whatever reason the beam is not straight is beyond me, but in order to do that, they had to splice the beam on the column where then, was there adequate bearing on the post.?

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by mcyr

Nice paint job on the column Bob.

For whatever reason the beam is not straight is beyond me, but in order to do that, they had to splice the beam on the column where then, was there adequate bearing on the post.?

It was the standard 4 bolt attachment plate.
Some were loose,(another common issue)
So each section of I beam has two attachment points.
No mending plates.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

That is standard Bob for post to beam connections

[Bob Elliott]

Ok so I guess the slight angle though unusual is not really a defect.

I will recommend tightening the bolts and adding mending plates. (sound right?

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Bob, you don't need mending plates for that.
The plate and the framing above is keeping everything aligned and stabilizing the rotation.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by mcyr

Bob, you don't need mending plates for that.
The plate and the framing above is keeping everything aligned and stabilizing the rotation.

OK thanks.

Now I can worry about the foundation leakage and the brittle asbestos tiles.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

[Bobby G. Michael]

I think this is probably in the norm.

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by belliott

OK thanks.

Now I can worry about the foundation leakage and the brittle asbestos tiles.

Asbestos tiles are not really a problem (not friable), but the mastic adheasive usually is (the scrape it and free the asbestos).

Hope this helps;

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by wdecker

Asbestos tiles are not really a problem (not friable), but the mastic adheasive usually is (the scrape it and free the asbestos).

Hope this helps;

A material suspected to contain asbestos fibers has been observed. Asbestos containing materials (ACM) are considered hazardous when they are friable. Friable simply means that the material is fragile and can release asbestos fibers into the air. Asbestos is extremely common in the air and soil around us, and has been used for decades in approximately 3,000 commonly found household products or building materials. How much danger this may pose to the client is unknown. If this is a concern, I recommend having the air in the home sampled by a licensed/certified asbestos remediation specialist, who can best determine whether any friable particulates are present and whether there is a need to encapsulate this material or remove it altogether.


These are friable.

As mentioned above.

Challenge is how to hire the proper contractor to remove the loose and brittle tiles that remain from years of wet flooring.
These were crunching when walked upon.

I informed my client it would be best to have them removed if loose ,before using an alternative floor cover on top.