Expert: Dave Johnson - 11/29/2007

Question
Hi Dave,
Thank you in advance for your time. My house is set up as most I have seen in our area with a carrier beam made up of 3 2x10's nailed together sitting on top of concrete filled Lally Columns which are only 4 feet tall and every 6 feet apart. This is a crawl space with poured walls and poured floors. When we initially purchased the house we had a fire while remodeling due to a halogen lamp placed in the crawlspace on cardboard boxes and left on by a heating contractor. This among many issues but we won't go there. Anyway, Vermont has no residential building inspectors so it is common for things to be done hap hazzardly. Anyway, I am concerned about the way the carrier beam (Girder) was spliced following the minor fire. a section of beam was replaced between two Lally posts extending to the concrete notch in the wall on one end of the replaced section, which I assume is good This section was all new lumber. The other end extends out beyond a Lally column. What was done was the outer 2 pieces of 2 x 10 lumber is new and runs beyond a column by about 4 feet. The center piece of this section is the old lumber sandwiched between the two new pieces replacing what was damaged and it extends beyond the end point of the two new pieces to the lally column. The whole new to old is nailed and bolted through with through bolts. I am concerned that the two otside pieces are ended almost mid center between two columns. The contracter assured that since the center most piece extends two the column on one side and foundation on the other it is every bit as good. He also claims that since it is below a dining area with no real wait upstairs it will never go anywhere. It has not moved in the five years we have been there but I still become concerned every time I see the floating outer spliced pieces. I thought about putting a column under this area but duct work etc prohibits it. One other issue, again with this carrier is that of a 2 1/2 plumbing drain I had a plumber install. He cut into the top of this carrier by about 2 inches to get what he claims he needed to get the correct pitch for the pipe. When I protested he said although there is no issue with doing this he would appease me and he glued and bolted two pieces of 1/2 plywood on each side of the carrier. I believe he called it a fits plate??? I am concerned with all this chopping and splicing on the carrier not to mention the lack of any building inspector provisions with Vermont residential construction. With the laws here I could build a house from the ground up wiring and all and only have computer technology training. Scary!

Answer
Hi Rick,
First. let me thank you for a detailed question, you have no idea how many half thought out queries I get.
Anyway, THe plumber is ok with what he did. And as far as the beam goes it may be alright too, but to make sure and to allay your worries, I would add a 2"x10" to either side of the girder and make it extend from post to post. .
It doesn't need to be supported by the posts, just extend to them. Either glue and nail it or through bolt.
Best of luck,
Dave
P.S. Here in Maine we are lacking in local inspectors too....so I know the feeling.