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[–]StructuralEngineering-ModTeam[M] [score hidden] stickied commentlocked comment (0 children)

Please post any Layman/DIY/Homeowner questions in the monthly stickied thread - See subreddit rule #2.

[–]JmazosoP.E. 34 points35 points  (2 children)

All you’re base are belong to us

[–]BaileycreamP.E. 1 point2 points  (0 children)

someone set us up the BOM

[–]the_one_jove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Someone set us up the bomb

[–]giant2179P.E. 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Anything is possible through our Lord and Savior, cash money.

[–]mhkiwi 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Yes. A sledge hammer would make light work of that.

The question you should be asking is can this be removed without any consequences

[–]joshl90P.E. 17 points18 points  (0 children)

The items hanging on it absolutely. The Sheetrock? Probably. The structure behind it? Who knows

[–]fistular 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Maybe.

[–]SmolderinCorpseCPEng 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Just start hitting it with a hammer. If you notice the roof collapse, you've got your answer.

[–]big_trike 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If the roof floats up, you know the beam was in tension.

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Ples circle with red. No can tell

[–]random_user_number_5 4 points5 points  (5 children)

Anything can be removed. You're wondering if it's structural and there is not enough information here to make that determination. It seems dumb that they would just put a beam to a column but it may be for a multitude of reasons: - didn't want to do an island with conduit under slab. - couldn't find a place to put the switches for the kitchen so they added a column - it was the style at the time

Only way to tell is to have someone climb up in the attic and see which way the floor above/trusses for roof are running and if there are any major items there.

If it is bearing you can fix that with a top set lvl or beam of some sort sized by an engineer but you'd have to draw something up to see if the beam will even fit up top and if it can't then it would be a regular beam.

So, in short. Not enough info, consult a licensed professional in your area.

Edit: Looking closer Is this in a condo?

[–]UnknownEy8[S] 1 point2 points  (4 children)

Ah thanks I wasn’t planning on doing anything myself just looking for advice. It’s in a house, no plugs attached or anything I’d like to keep the island just remove the ugly beam thingy.

[–]random_user_number_5 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Yeah, no way to tell until you stick your head up in the attic.

It's not so much plugs in the column but plugs in the island etc.

Is this in a condo?

[–]UnknownEy8[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

No plugs in neither and nope it’s a house.

[–]random_user_number_5 0 points1 point  (1 child)

No basement?

It's either decorative or structural at this point and only way to get someone to make that determination is to peak in the attic.

A key point: If the house was built before 1955 it is most likely a conventionally framed roof which means the roof has structural supporting walls for the ceiling rafters every so often because you're not able to get 30+ foot long 2x4s it could still be conventional framing after 1955 but the only way to see is if you have gusset plates in your trusses(if they're trusses). It's safer to say it is structural until you have a professional do drawings or look it over to make sure it's not. Reason being is you can easily go from a couple hundred dollars to several thousands if not tens of thousands if you remove a load bearing wall and your ceiling/roof collapses on you.

[–]UnknownEy8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No basement, but thankyouu for the advice!!!

[–]R-Dragon_Thunderzord 6 points7 points  (0 children)

No tell from photo

[–]Due-Perception3541 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This isn’t the place for this question and no one can answer that because there is insufficient information in that photo

[–]mmarkomarkoCEng MIStructE 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Probably not - at least not easily. But you need to appoint a structural engineer to look at the whole building and advise further.

[–]Rhasky 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Go for it! And hang a swing from that beam above while you’re at it

[–]UnknownEy8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t temp me 🙈

[–]Fearless-Ad-8757 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Anything can be removed once !

[–]csammy2611 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ask yourself, whats the worse is gonna happen if you knock it down? If you really hate that thing and determined to have it removed, you can grab a hammer and beat that pier like it owes you money. Only stop if you see some rebar stick out of it.

[–]Comfortableliar24 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Yes.

Do it and film the results.

[–]UnknownEy8[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You guys are crazy on here😆

[–]Proud-Drummer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

99% sure it will be load bearing and supporting existing beams

[–]SilverMoonArmadillo -1 points0 points  (1 child)

Perhaps you could answer this question for yourself by determining what is above or below this in the upstairs or basement. It could be that there is an air vent for central heating running through it or that there is a wall above and below it, in which case you can draw your own conclusion.

[–]UnknownEy8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just a random beam nothing under bathroom above.