On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 22:33:09 -0500, wrote:

On 14 Apr 2005 02:24:22 -0700, "BobK207" wrote:

2926T13
Screw Jack 12 Ton Cap, 3-3/4" Max Lift, 9-3/4" Min Height
In stock at $82.93 Each

www.mcmaster.com

use two, use a 4x4 from the top of the jack to the bottom of the beam.
Strp the 4x4 to the beam so it doesn't fall. Jack it up in small
increments over a long time at you r leisure. When the beam is up
where you want it, remove& replace or repair the brick column & it
foundation, let the beam back onto the column.

Unless you're really handy & know exactly what you are doing but
discuss the fix with an engineer & you can DIY with confidence. It
you did this yourself your cost would b minimal beyond the engineering
consult., it's mostly time

btw yes a steel beam can span 24' but again you need some who
understands the construciton of your house & can do the calcs.

cheers
Bob

in defense of the contractors, time is money; they want to get in & get
out fast. Old houses typically need a lot of TLC. Not exactly,
compatible with contractor way of doing stuff, unless it's T&M.


Yep, that's right. Pay some professional about $20.000 to fill out 12
reams of paper to analyze the problem, and then he will go to HD and
buy a few screw jacks for about $50 to $100 each and jack the thing
up. *OR* Save the $20K and just buy the screw jacks yourself, and
raise it a little every week. Of course, keep in mind that it will be
on your conscience that the professional will have to eat hamburgers
and mashed potatoes instead of caviar, lobster, and t-bone steaks.

If your basement floor is lousy, put in foundations. If it's solid,
jack it right off the floor, but get a 16 inch or larger piece of at
least 1/2" thick steel under the post, and another the width of the
beam under the wood. Go to any welding and metal working shop and
they will cut it for you to size.

Screw posts involve screwing. If you dont know how to screw, hire the
professional and but save enough money for your divorce.

Some people like to make things far too complicated.

PS. The first week you can probably raise it 1/2 inch. After that,
give it one half turn every few days, or no more than 1/4" per week.
Keep an eye on your doors and windows upstairs, and prepare to patch
plaster cracks. Remember, the house used to be straight (usually), so
you are only putting it back where it belongs, but there has been
patching and door adjustments made over the years.

Mark

Right on, brother. I like the way you talk.

I have lost all respect for the jerks who come in to a newgroup and
the only advice they can pull out of their butt is to say "Hire a
professional".

What a cop out and waste of cyber space.


JimL