Relocating a basement column

[imagineer]

My home’s prior owner relocated one of the basement columns by about 48”. I assume this was to accommodate a door in a framed room. They simply cut off the column at the floor, tack welded a plate to the bottom and used a piece of 2x4 and shims between it and the floor to snug it into the new location. Not that it seems to be a problem, the relocated column left just over 12’ of main beam unsupported. Whereas the relocated column is again nailed to the underside of the main beam, the bottom is not secured to the floor. A good kick would dislodge it. They filled the cut off pipe in the floor at the original location with concrete.

For reference, the basement columns are 4” diameter steel and are embedded in the concrete floor, at about 104” on center. There is a plate welded to the column top that is attached to the underside of the main beam (3 - 2x10’s laminated together) with nails. It’s about 75.5” from the concrete floor to the underside of the main beam.

Due to the basement flooding in 2001, I gutted the basement of all framed walls. (FWIW, all basement flooding problems have been resolved).

To accommodate some basement storage projects, I’d like to relocate this column back to the original location. Whereas I could buy a new jack column, there are none available locally that are short enough, and even if available, they cost more than double of one of these: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Akron-14-in-Adjustable-Jack-Post/1000054567

My plan is to weld it to the bottom of the existing column, then after installation, anchor it both to the floor and overhead beam. Before moving the relocated column, I’ll shore up the main beam using 2x4s . I also plan on using a laser level and story stick to confirm the main beam elevation doesn’t change.

Any concerns or caveats I should consider in this plan?

 

[billconner]

I've seen plenty of lally columns that adjust that would fit. It would seem simplest to buy one, put it where you want, and adjust it to take the load, and toss the modified one. You probably should put some grout - Rocktite is my go to - under the base plate.

Here's one: https://www.acehardware.com/departm...-and-ceiling/adjustable-steel-columns/5008032

 

[The Cobbler]

lally columns or jack posts are inexpensive, but I've not seen them in 4" , usually around 2-1/2 " . they are adjustable and have holes in the plates to anchor to the floor & beam. unless you have some really heavy loads, I am sure they would work... easily and no need to mess around welding inside etc.

 

[BombShelter]

Older (1920's) concrete basement floors up here tend to get voids underneath them, I'd make sure there's good support under the floor or cut out a section and make a concrete footing.

 

[billconner]

Older (1920's) concrete basement floors up here tend to get voids underneath them, I'd make sure there's good support under the floor or cut out a section and make a concret footing.

It sounded like the original column was on a footing with floor poured around it, thus cut off. Probably good to reuse.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

Right or wrong when I placed beams in out 1860's basement, the mid point of the span received a jack post. No stock ones were the right size so I cut stock ones to the length I needed then reinstalled/welded the plate back on the bottom. No idea the thickness of the basement concrete so I placed a solid 1/2 block under the posts.

These were installed to take the "tray" / "dish" out of the first floor rooms. So limited loading. FWIW

Is that beam holding up more than the floors? Can you not simply reinstall the column and weld it to what's was left in the concrete?

 

[Renegade1LI]

Any column installed correctly should be on a footing. I would chop out around the old col base, remove the piece, install new col & patch. You can also use sch 40 pipe & make your own, I've made many that way.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My plan is to weld it to the bottom of the existing column,

Very difficult !

 

[imagineer]

Is that beam holding up more than the floors? Can you not simply reinstall the column and weld it to what's was left in the concrete?

No, it's a 1-story story ranch style house. The column that was relocated was under the middle of our kitchen.
The prior homeowner cut off about 4" from the existing column, (I'm guessing because the initial cutting wasn't square), so now it's too short.

I've already purchased the shore jack referenced above, and the round section is the same diameter as the existing column, so welding it together should be relatively easy.