home table and pesky load-bearing posts

[luckwouldhaveit]

Does anyone have experience removing or relocating load-bearing posts in their basement to make room for a table?

Based on some googling, it sounds like it could be expensive and also cause damage to the house even if done professionally.

Btw, the post runs down the center of the basement and is about 3-4" in diameter and hollow.

 

[IntoTheRail]

I have never moved any but I did know a dude who moved his, seemed like a pretty big deal. I have however, been in many basements with pool tables and have seen many inventive setups to try and avoid any obstacles. The best I have seen however is to put the pole right up against the table at the side pocket. I know it sounds funny but if you have to have a pole in the way, that is the best place for it. It will get in the way on a very low percentage of shots that are taken. The further you move the table away from the pole but still have it in the way, the more often the pole will come into play. A friend had his set up that way and it really didnt get in the way much...and if it does you just have a house rule that you can move the ball in the direction that calls for the least amount of movement to clear the pole. Pretty simple, and a lot better than sacrificing the structural integrity of your house.

 

[mr8ball]

I took 3 post out of my game room one time. I put 2, 1/4 inch X 22' long plates on each side of the main joist that ran the length of the room. It took about 4 hrs to do it and it worked very well. I have them pre drilled (Staggered) and I drilled the first hole and ran a 1/2 inch piece of all thread through it. Then I took and clamped and drilled the rest of the holes. Then I cut the post out. Pretty simple you just have to make sure you can get to the floor joist. Best of luck.

 

[TATE]

The best I have seen however is to put the pole right up against the table at the side pocket. I know it sounds funny but if you have to have a pole in the way, that is the best place for it.

In fact, it increases your skill level as you have to play shape to avoid the pole. It's also one heck of a gaffe table. Invite friends over for a ring game and use your special warped Imperial to shoot around the pole. Soon you'll win enough money to pay for a table with a 6" hole in the slate. :smile:

Chris

Ps. There have been a number of threads about this. A construction structural engineer can design a post and beam that will take the weight. Whatever you so, get it permitted. Unfortuantely sometimes permits require updates of stairs, handicapped, and fire provisions that might affect the cost.

 

[spktur]

As a retired Chief Building Inspector I would advise you to be very careful. The use of the steel flitch plates can be a really good answer but a lot has to do with the depth of the beam you're attaching to. Ideally, you should get an engineer to look at it and give you a detail of how to fix it. You might get a Building Inspector (he's not supposed to) to help you with some ideas. The size and type of fix depends on just how much tributary load you have on those posts.