Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 1/19/2009

Question
Hi, i have an atrium ranch house that was built three years ago. The builder is not around anymore to ask this question to. When the house was under construction i noticed on the floor plans that the atrium was backwards, they had the stairs coming down from the family room side and not the kitchen side. The exterior framing was already complete so they had to swap the window and exterior door and change the stair layout. What i failed to really notice then was at the landing of the stairs in the basement there is a beam column that is 42" off of the outside wall that is right in the way of walking into the basement from the landing area. I am finishing the basement off and this is now bothering me. Would you think this is a load bearing column pole or just a bearing pole for where the steps were supposed to be from the plans. Either way do you think this can be either moved or just completely taken out. The atrium is a 16' foot span and is supported by the stairs and the pole. If you think i need to have someone look at it do you know a couple of structural companies in the St. Louis area? Thanks and i look forward to hearing your response. Keith R.

Answer
Hi Keith, chances are that the post and beam you are describing have nothing to do with the atrium style of your home but have everything to do with supporting the floor structure above.  Beams in basements hold up the floor joists, columns hold up the beams.  The distance between beams and other bearing walls etc. is the "span".  The span determines the size of the joist.  Say, if you have 2x10 joists the span should be somewhere around 10-12', 2x12 joists 12-14', etc.  If your basement beams have joists sitting on them then they probably need to be there.  Without looking at the actual building construction I can't say at this point if the beam in question is supposed to be there or not. It is possible, with a little creativity, to redistribute weight bearing elements such as beams and columns and probably get the offending posts out of your way.  But it will take a structural engineer or a qualified stuctural contractor to make that judgement call.   As far as structural people in St. Louis, I don't know any in that area, however, in your yellow pages under structural engineers, or p.e.'s, you can find someone willing to look at your situation, I'm sure.  

I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com