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Robert Allison

wrote:

On Tue, 28 Nov 2006 23:06:46 GMT, (Doug Miller)
wrote:

In article , "Ook" Ook Don't send me any freakin' spam at zootal dot com delete the Don't send me any freakin' spam wrote:

The previous owner of the house I own replaced the main beam. The beam is
supported by 4-5 metal supports that appear to be adjustable. The floor in
the main level of the house slopes upwards towards where the beam, by as
much as an inch or two. I'm thinking that I can lower the main beam by an
inch or so and level the floor. Does this sound feasible? Is this a very bad
thing to do, or might I be sucessfull in leveling the floor without hurting
anything?

Consult a qualified structural engineer.

Why do people like you even bother to post a reply.
Anyone knows they can hire a pro for anything in the house,car, or
whatever.

Those of us with alot of experience in this business know when
it is time to consult and when it is a waste of time.

The object to this newsgroup is for DIY. If everyone called a pro,
this NG may as well be removed.

I think this makes you out to be an idiot.....

I won't return your childish insult, but I will say that this
reply shows you to be inexperienced and ignorant of the whole
picture.

After 35 years of experience in the construction industry, I
could walk into this home and probably reach a conclusion
about whether this would be OK or not. I would KNOW if I
needed to call in a structural engineer. Since the OP asked
whether it was OK to do this or not, I can easily surmise that
he does not have the experience or qualifications to make this
determination. Since severe damage, injury or death can occur
in the right circumstances, anyone with experience would not
advise the OP to do this unless it is evaluated by a competent
person. Since I don't know who he might call, I DO know that
a structural engineer will make a qualified evaluation and
advise him correctly.

As you can see, the only helpful advice is to call a
structural engineer. So, take your own advice:

If you cant help the person, dont post a reply !!!

---------

To the OP, yes you can lower the floor. I have never lowered one, but
I have raised them. However, be warned. You will get plaster cracks,
doors and windows may not fit and will get stuck or not shut properly.
The more you move the house, the worse these problems will be.
If you do it, turn each post 1/2 turn per day. Dont do it all at
once.

Having raised and lowered, leveled, changed and otherwise
modified many floors using different methods, my experience
tells me that there is no way to advise this person without
having seen the situation either firsthand or after evaluation
by a structural engineer.

--
Robert Allison
Rimshot, Inc.
Georgetown, TX