The Dreaded Basement/Garage Pole Issue...

[GentlemanJames]

I've just learned that those horrible basement poles - usually located where they seem to exist solely to screw up shooting out of THAT one corner or side pocket without the use of a shorty-stick, or worse, smack in the middle of your basement or two-car garage and perfectly killing your ability to put a pool table in there - can be removed!

In short, there are companies who specialize in this, and what they basically do is reinforce the overhead beam in essentially a steel plate sandwich; and the offending 'pool table killing pole' is removed - completely opening the space.

Apparently, these accursed things are properly called: Lally Columns - growing up, we called them F-ing Basement Poles - and, it appears that you can get one out of your basement if no structural complications are present, for somewhere in the $2000 - $3000 range all-in; with permits, structural architect fees, inspections, etc.

I don't know if this is news to anyone else; but, it sure was to me. Having been plagued by these horrid things my whole life, I was thrilled to learn about this. - GJ

 

[measureman]

The same people that remove those poles also can build 100 story buildings and mile long bridges.
Nothing new.

 

[Brookeland Bill]

I've just learned that those horrible basement poles - usually located where they seem to exist solely to screw up shooting out of THAT one corner or side pocket without the use of a shorty-stick, or worse, smack in the middle of your basement or two-car garage and perfectly killing your ability to put a pool table in there - can be removed!

In short, there are companies who specialize in this, and what they basically do is reinforce the overhead beam in essentially a steel plate sandwich; and the offending 'pool table killing pole' is removed - completely opening the space.

Apparently, these accursed things are properly called: Lally Columns - growing up, we called them F-ing Basement Poles - and, it appears that you can get one out of your basement if no structural complications are present, for somewhere in the $2000 - $3000 range all-in; with permits, structural architect fees, inspections, etc.

I don't know if this is news to anyone else; but, it sure was to me. Having been plagued by these horrid things my whole life, I was thrilled to learn about this. - GJ

What’s a basement. In the South we call them bomb shelters and root cellers.

 

[jgirard]

I used a company out of New Jersey. They came up to CT and removed a pole in the basement which would have been my 850sqft man cave. My ex-wife now has a nice open area ready for sheetrock she can entertain in (lol?). This is who I used: https://lallygone.com/

Think it cost me $3100. They bolted 2 steel plates to either side of the beam and cut the column out. Took them maybe 3 hours.

 

[Tooler]

Where are the strippers supposed to spin, if the pole is removed?

 

[garczar]

I've just learned that those horrible basement poles - usually located where they seem to exist solely to screw up shooting out of THAT one corner or side pocket without the use of a shorty-stick, or worse, smack in the middle of your basement or two-car garage and perfectly killing your ability to put a pool table in there - can be removed!

In short, there are companies who specialize in this, and what they basically do is reinforce the overhead beam in essentially a steel plate sandwich; and the offending 'pool table killing pole' is removed - completely opening the space.

Apparently, these accursed things are properly called: Lally Columns - growing up, we called them F-ing Basement Poles - and, it appears that you can get one out of your basement if no structural complications are present, for somewhere in the $2000 - $3000 range all-in; with permits, structural architect fees, inspections, etc.

I don't know if this is news to anyone else; but, it sure was to me. Having been plagued by these horrid things my whole life, I was thrilled to learn about this. - GJ

You can remove those but it will cost you a ton.

 

[Banger]

...... and what they basically do is reinforce the overhead beam in essentially a steel plate sandwich.....

Those steel plates are called flitch plates, and the beam itself, is called a flitch beam. It may not be too difficult to do, depending on the span, and how much weight needs to be supported. Or, it may be a little more complicated, and necessary to replace the entire beam with a steel "I" beam sandwiched between two wood beams (the wood may be necessary for supporting joist/hangers). A structural engineer who specializes in this type of thing can tell you what you need.

 

[jimmyco]

You can remove those but it will cost you a ton.

This is pun worthy.

 

[SmoothStroke]

I've just learned that those horrible basement poles - usually located where they seem to exist solely to screw up shooting out of THAT one corner or side pocket without the use of a shorty-stick, or worse, smack in the middle of your basement or two-car garage and perfectly killing your ability to put a pool table in there - can be removed!

In short, there are companies who specialize in this, and what they basically do is reinforce the overhead beam in essentially a steel plate sandwich; and the offending 'pool table killing pole' is removed - completely opening the space.

Apparently, these accursed things are properly called: Lally Columns - growing up, we called them F-ing Basement Poles - and, it appears that you can get one out of your basement if no structural complications are present, for somewhere in the $2000 - $3000 range all-in; with permits, structural architect fees, inspections, etc.

I don't know if this is news to anyone else; but, it sure was to me. Having been plagued by these horrid things my whole life, I was thrilled to learn about this. - GJ

I think that is a great price as long as it's done properly, no short cuts.
I have an older home. Ten years ago my son and I removed load bearing walls and opened it up.
My wife was worried the house would collapse and how do we know it's safe. I told her to sleep
on the dining room table, if the second floor and roof land on your head I did a bad job.
Ten years later and she still sleeping on the table.
So far, so good.

 

[GoldCrown]

This is pun worthy.

A ton pun.
I had a pole moved 3 feet.

 

[jimmyco]

A ton pun.
I had a pole moved 3 feet.

What did that cost?

 

[GentlemanJames]

You can remove those but it will cost you a ton.

Estimate was right around the $2,500 mark. - GJ

 

[Gatz]

Get a structural engineer in first to. You could probably save a lot by just moving it. The engineer will tell you, draw up plans if this is possible.

 

[GoldCrown]

What did that cost?

It was part of the basement being done. A new pole and footing was set up… the original taken down after. Was done in 1998. Can’t give an accurate cost but a $1000 was high at that time.

 

[GoldCrown]

Estimate was right around the $2,500 mark. - GJ

If done right that’s not bad.

 

[GentlemanJames]

Get a structural engineer in first to. You could probably save a lot by just moving it. The engineer will tell you, draw up plans if this is possible.

The guy who shows up to do the evaluation is a structural engineer/architect; so yes, that is the very first thing that happens. So if you decide to pull the trigger, they handle everything. All the customer does is cut a check.

The idea is to cut the pole out and get rid of it completely. I asked about simply moving the pole - which can be done - but in some cases you end-up with TWO poles flanking the newly opened space, where the ONE central pole used to be.

I have hated basement poles my whole life and have been plagued by them since 1974 (when Dad got our first table) in my home(s) over the years. They were in every single basement I had ever played in as a kid and then as a teenager growing up, until I started to go to halls. When some other kid would say "We have a table too, you should come over to my house and play sometime.", my immediate response was always "Yeah, and where is the pole that's in the way, on the corner or on the side?". Not to mention the number of times I have heard the dreaded phrase: "Well you can't do that, because there's a pole in the way.".

These things are always were you don't want them, so in my case, I certainly don't want to trade one major headache for two minor headaches - though for some, it might be the better way to go.

It all depends.

For me, in addition to completely opening the space, it would finally be a victory in a life-long losing battle of Table versus Pole. - GJ

 

[ShootingArts]

Dig around for a cheap structural engineer. State and city engineers often work for beer or not much more on the side. Then look up laminated structural beams. These are all wood and cheap! If you don't have a nearby company that will deliver go down to the lumberyard and buy the beam. EMPHASIZE, it has to be unloaded gently, adequate manpower or forklift depending on size. If the people that deliver the beam drop it refuse to accept delivery and send for another one after marking that one. Dropping a laminated beam can severely compromise strength with no damage showing.

Less than ten years ago a 20" or 24" beam 20' or 24" long was less than five hundred dollars delivered. A crew to set it in place properly was under five hundred and the total bill to get rid of a beam in his garage a friend had been cursing for twenty years was under a thousand. Check what kind of tolerance the engineer allowed, If fifty percent or less add another fifty percent!

People are under the illusion that engineering is all science. It ain't, the art comes in when building based on past designs, Before computers even a 100% fudge factor wasn't unheard of and failures were rare. With the coming of computers people cut fudge factors to the bone and it was quickly found that some of the baselines weren't adequate, neither was some foreign steel. Entire large bridges have been destroyed and rebuilt before the first vehicle went over them!

If you are really lucky you will find an engineer with a PE. That PE certification wasn't the easiest thing to get the last I knew. However, sloppy design or execution of this project can render a building structurally unsound. Value will plummet and your homeowner's carrier will be annoyed!

Have fun, stay safe, take pictures for the rest of us interested!

Hu

 

[ShootingArts]

What’s a basement. In the South we call them bomb shelters and root cellers.

In south Louisiana we call those indoor swimming pools no matter what they started out to be!

Hu

 

[Lawnboy77]

I can relate! This was my table in the mid 70s with the dreaded basement support pole right in the way. It added new dimensions to the safety play. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GentlemanJames]

Dig around for a cheap structural engineer. State and city engineers often work for beer or not much more on the side. Then look up laminated structural beams. These are all wood and cheap! If you don't have a nearby company that will deliver go down to the lumberyard and buy the beam. EMPHASIZE, it has to be unloaded gently, adequate manpower or forklift depending on size. If the people that deliver the beam drop it refuse to accept delivery and send for another one after marking that one. Dropping a laminated beam can severely compromise strength with no damage showing.

Less than ten years ago a 20" or 24" beam 20' or 24" long was less than five hundred dollars delivered. A crew to set it in place properly was under five hundred and the total bill to get rid of a beam in his garage a friend had been cursing for twenty years was under a thousand. Check what kind of tolerance the engineer allowed, If fifty percent or less add another fifty percent!

People are under the illusion that engineering is all science. It ain't, the art comes in when building based on past designs, Before computers even a 100% fudge factor wasn't unheard of and failures were rare. With the coming of computers people cut fudge factors to the bone and it was quickly found that some of the baselines weren't adequate, neither was some foreign steel. Entire large bridges have been destroyed and rebuilt before the first vehicle went over them!

If you are really lucky you will find an engineer with a PE. That PE certification wasn't the easiest thing to get the last I knew. However, sloppy design or execution of this project can render a building structurally unsound. Value will plummet and your homeowner's carrier will be annoyed!

Have fun, stay safe, take pictures for the rest of us interested!

Hu

That might be good for someone else; but, it's not my style at all.

I want to hand a professional contractor a piece of paper with some ink on it, and watch him and his work crew drive-away with an offending pole while I eat a sandwich from the comfort of my recliner.

I don't want to be involved with the process at all, none of the paperwork, no personal involvement with the township building inspectors, none of it.

In fact, the only thing I want to know is: a) How much, b) How soon can they get here, and c) How soon can they get out.

But, that's me. - GJ