Support post for Beam, is this right?

[Mark R. Long]

The orientation of the the top plate of this support post just doesn't seem right to me. It seems that it should be perpendicular to the laminated beam, but I can't seem to find any justification to back me up. R407.3 and R606.13 of the IRC addresses columns and beam support, but I don't see that it clearly addresses this issue. Can anyone help?

[David P. Valley]

It would be common sense to install that support post (plate) so that it bears all four 2x's.

My first question is...

Are those 2x's bolted together?

[Larry D. Kage]

It was probably installed with the threaded end of the steel lally column down and that is how it ended up when it was unscrewed to the bottom of the level beam. I couple of steel shims could have helped to line it up better.

If the beam 2X's were connected together adequately, with what I can see in the small pic, I wouldn't be too concerned. At least they lagged the column to the beam. Many times I see bent over nails or nothing for the connection.

[Mark R. Long]

Originally Posted by dvalley

It would be common sense to install that support post (plate) so that it bears all four 2x's.

My first question is...

Are those 2x's bolted together?

No, the 2"x10"s are not bolted together. They're nailed.

[tdutt]

I can't help with the code info but a quick check of the Dearborn publication Principles of Home Inspection, Systems and Standards had this to say on page 253:

Make sure the top of the column bearing plate is the full width of the beam. For example, a 4 inch by 4 inch steel plate is not wide enough to support a built-up beam made of four members. A built-up beam made of four two by eights, for example, will be 6 inches wide. The bearing plate needs to be the full width of the beam in order to transfer the loads effectively.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Obvious to me that the top bearing plate of this support column is the wrong direction, but what are those outriggers that I see at that location on each side of the beam.??

Marcel

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Did one yesterday 2*4 was all that supported the beam.
No fastening of any sort . I said to client it was not done correctly and that I suspected there was no permit for the addition and they needed proper
fastening for the beam . this was a rental home .
Big dog did not go out side Garbage from the renters had not gone out side for many years .
Could not see floors or walls in most locations . 5 adults and a baby lived in FILTH BIG TIME .
Write hard every where this was the worst home I have inspected .
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The second worst was yesterday 2 year old home and they too had never put out the garbage .Again 5 adults and a baby Small yippee dog who did his business on the floor in front of me.
With a little luck I will never get houses like these again.

Roy Sr.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Understand what you went through Roy, that happened to me back five years ago checking out a house for my daughter, it was disgusting beyound my belief.
Hope to never see that again.

Marcel

[Mike Parks]

This may not be a problem. Not enough info, pictures, and not being there to tell.

[Mark R. Long]

Originally Posted by mcyr

Obvious to me that the top bearing plate of this support column is the wrong direction, but what are those outriggers that I see at that location on each side of the beam.??

Marcel

The "outriggers" are are straps that can be used to wrap around a narrower beam, say if it was only 2 - 2" x 10"s for instance. But in this case they aren't much use.

It seems somewhat "obvious" to me also that the top bearing plate is going in the wrong direction, but why exactly? I'm looking for something specific to hang my hat on. It may not be clear in the picture, but the plate does at least catch the outer two 2xs somewhat. And if all of the 2" x 10's are laminated securely together, does it matter? Any other thoughts?
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[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by mcyr

Understand what you went through Roy, that happened to me back five years ago checking out a house for my daughter, it was disgusting beyound my belief.
Hope to never see that again.

Marcel

Both clients bought the house ( can not call them a home ).
In both cases it was exactly what they wanted and at their price .
I expect there are 4 agents who never expected these to go through.
They both had written in the offer to have every thing not fasten down to be removed .
Real smart people .

Rpy Cooke sr.

[rmc3inspection]

I am a licensed general contractor as well as a home inspector and when I was doing remodeling of an older home (1925) I installed some lally columns to correct some sagging joists. I made a built up girder of 2x's to span the joists and then for the bearing points used 1/4 inch steel plates (the size of girder bearing dimension), drilling holes into the plate to mount lally plate screws thru plate into girder.

In less words they should have used a 1/4 inch(at least) steel plate on top of lally plate (all attached to girder) to have more bearing area.
....in my opinion.

Reese

[rwand1]

As evidenced in the photo and as stated by others the beam should be resting entirely on the plate. It wrong and should be corrected. I would have no hesitation in calling this concern out.

[Mike Parks]

After closer examination of the picture it 'appears' that this post was added to 'fix' a problem.

Good call to ask that it be examined.

[rwand1]

It shouldn't be considered as an expensive fix.