Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 1/6/2010

Question
i have a smaller home about 1000 sq feet and am tryin to utilize the basement with not alot of head room and want to remove some oid the support columns and replace them with 4 2x6 beam glued and screwed together for a span of about 16 feet

Answer
Hi ole, 16 feet is a long span for a beam made out of 2x6's.  Plus you have to realize that your existing columns may be sitting on thickened footings below the concrete slab.  By moving columns you may be locating the new columns on a 4" slab without the necessary support below.  You didn't mention what the columns are supporting at this time.  Is there an existing beam up inside the floor system that the columns hold up and the floor joists attached to that beam with joist hangers?  If so, what size beam is inside the floor system and what size are the joists?  This information will be helpful in determining beam sizes and column placement.  Please write again with this information..sincerely bruce e johnson