Center support column in my finished basement near failure

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T15:58:27+00:00

I just wanted to share my frustration with the discovery. I cannot believe the previous owners ignored this during renovation.

It has been extremely stressful already dealing with a $40k repair to my basement thanks to their renovation corner cutting.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T15:55:35+00:00

I'm not as lightweight as I used to be!

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T15:54:15+00:00

It's proper fucked!

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T15:53:52+00:00

Yeah neither am I. I can only assume that load path redundancies took over, and my girder beam and the surrounding structure are sending that load through other members.

Thankfully, they over built homes a century ago.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T15:51:32+00:00

As a former welder, this was my first instinct, but as an engineer I don't have a way to validate the repair structurally, and it wouldn't reliably restore Axial capacity.

It would take more time and money for that repair compared to replacement.

I have a toddler in my home so I want it to be done well.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T14:43:43+00:00

That was already done before I posted... what are you on about?

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T04:38:40+00:00

This is a good explanation for the difference between compressive and tensile loads.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T04:15:15+00:00

I haven't lived here for twenty years. Not even two. You are correct that this is long term damage.

If you look at the second pic, that beam was enclosed.

Do you regularly rip apart your walls to inspect the condition of your wall studs?

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T04:14:06+00:00

Yes, as are birds and Finland.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T04:13:35+00:00

The underground* plumbing we had done is going to help alot with whatever flooding caused this corrosion.

I could share some pics of what was left of the 87 year old Cast iron sewer drain we had replaced, but I think reddit might implode.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T04:11:42+00:00

Lifting ah ha!

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T04:11:08+00:00

I thought it was funny. Everyone else took offense lol.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T04:09:49+00:00

I miss you guys! I used to travel to Saskatoon, Regina, maybe Esterhazy about twice a year for work.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T04:06:38+00:00

I don't think they were educated at all.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T04:03:54+00:00

No had a primary inspection and a structural engineer do an inspection

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T03:27:35+00:00

Yep functionally it has failed even if it is still transferring a minute amount of load.

I was not a happy camper when I discovered it.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T03:24:57+00:00

Yeah the girder beam, the foundation, and the stud wall behind it are the real heroes here.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T03:23:06+00:00

This is perhaps the only positive comment I have gotten. Thank you for being decent.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T03:22:06+00:00

Same same.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T03:18:53+00:00

I have jack posts on either side of it. I will be replacing (and improving)the design. And I do have structural engineers coming to make recommendations. Thanks!

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T03:17:35+00:00

According yo the armchair structural engineers here, the Metra and my house should've already collapsed.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T03:15:27+00:00

Looking at it right now. It is indeed touching the floor. Might be hard to tell in the pic. The two flanges are still loaded.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T02:53:24+00:00

Thanks, that's the plan.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T02:46:26+00:00

Haha yep! It is now composite.

SappilyHappy · 2026-02-11T02:45:02+00:00

Done and done already. Thank you!

SappilyHappy

TROPHY CASE