Expert: Dan Griffin - 1/2/2010

Question
We plan on removing a load baring wall on first floor and will replace it with header and support column.  We have access to basement directly beneath and will be putting support beneath the column.  Does anything need to be done to the foundation?  There was no support here before (although there is a load baring wall in basement about 2 feet away-columns every six feet with one 13 foot opening with a steel i beam).  I am wondering if this is too much weight in such a small area.  The column in the basement will be about 2 feet away from the column that supports one end of the i-beam.  Thanks

Answer
Mary, if I am understanding your question:

You are opening up a load bearing wall that will have one end that is not directly in line with the column that holds up the girder in the basement.  The bearing wall that remains and the end of the new header are in line with the bearing beam in the basement.  YOu will be installing  double or triple jack studs that will come down on the existing bottom plate.  Everything would probably hold just fine, but you may want to add some additinal blocking on the basement beam suppporting the flooring where the header jacks bear.  I see no reason to consider moving the column or worrying about the jack studs not directly bearing on the column.  You are well within the outer third of that portion of beam where the loads are minimized.  If this were coming down at the mid point of the basement beam, we might want to beef the basement beam, though even then I think it would be fine.