Removing poll in the way in basement.

tjlmbklr

tjlmbklr

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Removing pole in the way in basement.

I know it can be done and I just visited a friends house for the first time that had it done. I just want to get the opinion and pictures if possible of persons that had it done. Honestly from what i saw at his house I was surprised as to how simple the process looked (well for a handy man). But I wanted to know how others have done it and there method involved in doing so.

His consisted of a 6x4 on each end supporting a beam comprised of 3 2x12's with plywood in between (for more support and to give the correct thickness to equal the width of the 6 x 4 beams). Then they were all held together with many bolts and construction adhesive. then the new beam was attached with large "L" like brackets to the old steel I beam right next to it. And also tied into the floor joists also with lag screws and L brackets.The only thing I would have trouble doing myself is the removal of the old steel poll. I am quite the handy man and do every project I can on my own (with help if need) But I lack the proper tools sometimes which usually is my biggest issue that hold me back when tackling a project.

Thanks in advance

TJ
 
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A steel pole?

tjlmbklr said:
I know it can be done and I just visited a friends house for the first time that had it done. I just want to get the opinion and pictures if possible of persons that had it done. Honestly from what i saw at his house I was surprsised as to how simple the process looked (well for a handy man). But I wanted to know how others have done it and there method involved in doing so.

His consisted of a 6x4 on each end supporting a beam comprised of 3 2x12's with plywood in between (for more support and to give the correct thickness to equal the width of the 6 x 4 beams). Then they were all held together with many bolts and construction adhesive. then the new beam was attached with large "L" like brackets to the old steel I beam right next to it. And also tied into the floor joists also with lag screws and L brackets.The only thing I would have trouble doing myself is the removal of the old steel poll. I am quite the handy man and do every project I can on my own (with help if need) But I lack the proper tools sometimes which usually is my biggest issue that hold me back when tackling a project.

Thanks in advance

TJ
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Do your support project first, then get a sawzall, with a heavy duty steel cutting blade and cut it off. Sounds pretty simple, but it's tough to cut. If you don't have a good sawzall, borrow or rent one. If you use a cheap one, it will take all day to cut it. I assume the pole is bolted to the concrete floor?
 
I took out a poll in my basement. I first drilled (4) holes all the way through the (6) 2x12`s. Then I used a piece of 1/2 inch all-thread. Put on double washers & tighted everything done snug. I had the boards singing if that makes sense to ya. Before starting this project I did show the local contractor that built the house my idea. I also put a string line up to make sure nothing sags. Thats been 3 years now with no problems. Hope this helps you out. Jeff
 
I just went through this myself. I would consider myself an avid handyman but for this I hired some help. I now have almost a 24' span with nothing in the way. I also have a fish tank directly above it that's weight was engeneered into the project. Anyways they removed my metal beam and pole and put in 4 2x16 engeneered beams sunk into the sub floor above. Also they cut into the floor at the ends where the weight is now supported and poured a few feet on concrete. Then put the laly column on top of that.

Hope this helps, and not having the pole Priceless!
 
it can be done but its not easy... depends upon the construction technique used to build the house..

generally you would increase the size of the footing underneath each end of the area supported by the post.. ( jackhammers and concrete saws in your basement) in order to provide two new posts that will carry a beam to support the load of the now missing post.. depending on how the place is built could be no problem could be a big expensive mess...

no way to tell without walking in and seeing the place first hand.
 
There are projects to tackle yourself, then there is taking on a structural remodel......which I would NEVER recommend to a handyman. My family has been in the building biz forever, and I have seen when these projects don't work.

Each individual structure is built differently, so there is really no set rule of thumb to be able to go by.

The best thing you can do is have an engineer come over and draw up the job for you. From that point if you feel you can take care of it....go for it, but at least you will know you have the right plans.
 
Nice

Gerry said:
There are projects to tackle yourself, then there is taking on a structural remodel......which I would NEVER recommend to a handyman. My family has been in the building biz forever, and I have seen when these projects don't work.

Each individual structure is built differently, so there is really no set rule of thumb to be able to go by.

The best thing you can do is have an engineer come over and draw up the job for you. From that point if you feel you can take care of it....go for it, but at least you will know you have the right plans.
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That's some of the best advice I have ever seen on here. Nothing like getting a job done, and it looks great, then a week later your house falls in right on top of your table. Bet the insurance company would say, "we ain't paying for it too".....
 
poolhustler said:
Are you talking about removing a "post" ?

Not sure what a poll is??

Maybe you meant pole??
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Well thanks for pointing out my spelling error now we can all rest easy knowing that that's taken care of. I mean before that correction nobody knew what i was even talking about:thumbup:
 
satman said:
That's some of the best advice I have ever seen on here. Nothing like getting a job done, and it looks great, then a week later your house falls in right on top of your table. Bet the insurance company would say, "we ain't paying for it too".....
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The span between the POST/POLE being removed and the wall is about 140" or 11'-8". I am willing to bet based off my knowledge of engineering and construction background that things are OVER engineered for a reason. So i bet that the pole could be removed with no support and still hold the house. But now add to this another "over engineered" home made beam along with an extra pole on each side of it's span and I know it would be fine. I just wanted re-enforcement from others that have done this and want there pictures and ideas.

So thank you all and i am still open to a picture or 2 if anyone has any to share.
 
tjlmbklr said:
The span between the POST/POLE being removed and the wall is about 140" or 11'-8". I am willing to bet based off my knowledge of engineering and construction background that things are OVER engineered for a reason. So i bet that the pole could be removed with no support and still hold the house. But now add to this another "over engineered" home made beam along with an extra pole on each side of it's span and I know it would be fine. I just wanted re-enforcement from others that have done this and want there pictures and ideas.

So thank you all and i am still open to a picture or 2 if anyone has any to share.
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This thinking is where the trouble begins. The post is located in that position for a reason. If you look directly above the post on top of the beam you will probably (should see) little blocks from top of beam to sub floor. These are point load locations and everyone is designed to carry a specific weight. Your post will even have a letter code. If the post is rated for 15000 lbs or more you will have a harder time removing. If it is a smaller rated post 5000-8000, a 2 or 3 ply beam should carry. Contact an engineer first. Someone else's picture will show you how, but not why!

I am a general contractor and have some experience with post and beams.
 
I did this at my house. The existing rafter was 3-2x12's. I went to a large metal fabricator and ordered two 5/16 or 3/8 thick (can't remember) by 11 inch wide, by 16' long pieces of steel plate.

The length of the plate steel extended beyond the poles that were to be left at either end after I removed the center pole.

I had them drill "W" pattern matching holes in the plates, 3/4 of an inch in diameter all along the plates. ( you know, in an up and down pattern, which would result in stresses being applied sideways to the steel plates)

With two twist jack stands, I cut two 6" long 2x4 blocks of wood. I placed them under the existing 2x12 rafter crossways so they extended out beyond the rafter, and held them up with the twist jack stands.

With some friends we lifted the plate steel up and placed them on either side of the 2x4 blocks.

I held the heavy steel plates from tilting off the blocks by simply hammering some nails into the 2x12 rafter and bending them over to hold the steel plates.

I then drilled (wood drill) through the existing holes in the plate steel and through the 2x12s.

I installed large bolts with flat washers, lock washers and nuts to each "W" pattern hole.

Cranked them down tight. Cut out the center pole with sawsall and removed the twist jacks.

An atom bomb could go off and blow the house to hell. But, that rafter will still be there.

If you want to overkill the project and add extra support, you could put two additional poles on the outside of the outer existing poles.

If you are not sure of the concrete depth or lack of footing, you could place an 18" or so square of thick steel plate on the floor under where you would add the additional poles.
 
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PoolHustler, I'm like you. I thought this was a poll about something. But , no , its about a pole. ---Smitty
 
I've got a pole about 18" from the table and I need a very short troubleshooter cue to make shots about 3% of the time (I'd say). Sometimes the pole affects my shot selection or pattern play decisions, which isn't good.

I had a guy come in and say "oh yeah, we could get rid of that no problem" and another guy who said "you would be crazy to remove that pole". We opted to stick with the pole -- this is not something I'm all that willing to gamble on -- and we've got other home improvement projects we'd want to tackle before removing or moving the pole. To do it right, it probably won't be cheap.
 
tjlmbklr said:
I know it can be done and I just visited a friends house for the first time that had it done. I just want to get the opinion and pictures if possible of persons that had it done. Honestly from what i saw at his house I was surprised as to how simple the process looked (well for a handy man). But I wanted to know how others have done it and there method involved in doing so.

His consisted of a 6x4 on each end supporting a beam comprised of 3 2x12's with plywood in between (for more support and to give the correct thickness to equal the width of the 6 x 4 beams). Then they were all held together with many bolts and construction adhesive. then the new beam was attached with large "L" like brackets to the old steel I beam right next to it. And also tied into the floor joists also with lag screws and L brackets.The only thing I would have trouble doing myself is the removal of the old steel poll. I am quite the handy man and do every project I can on my own (with help if need) But I lack the proper tools sometimes which usually is my biggest issue that hold me back when tackling a project.

Thanks in advance

TJ
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Hell, try it yourself. What's the worst that could happen?:banghead: :smash: :duck:
 

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Hello, I just removed a pole myself to make way for my gold crown 3!! Email me at mikebads@verizon.net with something about the pole in the subject(so I know who it is!) and I can email you some pics and maybe a video clip or two!! It's not really as hard as it seems. You just need to think it through FIRST!!!
Good luck!!
FINGERS
 
fingers said:
Hello, I just removed a pole myself to make way for my gold crown 3!! Email me at mikebads@verizon.net with something about the pole in the subject(so I know who it is!) and I can email you some pics and maybe a video clip or two!! It's not really as hard as it seems. You just need to think it through FIRST!!!
Good luck!!
FINGERS
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Email sent!
 
Maybe it's just me, but If I had a pole in my basement then the last thing I would do is remove it..........

the first thing I would do is call some strippers to come over.
 
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