Framing and Sub-Flooring - Pier & Beam Repair?

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egbrown76
07-28-09, 08:51 PM
Hi all. I have an old pier & beam house (strictly speaking, I think it's actually block & beam). There are segments of the beams that are rotted and need to be repaired. What does this entail? Can I just go in an cut out the segment ("segment" defined as the piece spanning two piers) and replace that piece of wood? Or do I have to replace the entire biem; i.e., does the beam have to be continuous along the length of the house?

Pulpo
07-30-09, 07:09 PM
Beams should be continuous. Can you install new piers & beams next to the damaged ones?
egbrown76
07-30-09, 07:55 PM
Thanks for the response. I guess so; but I'd rather not do that considering that the current piers are already settled into the soil. So if a small part of a beam rots, the usual remedy is to replace the entire beam? That seems extreme; of course, I say this not knowing anything about it . . . .

Pulpo
07-30-09, 07:59 PM
If there is enough room on the pier to sister a new beam next to the current one, you could do that or just sister a 2 x _ (fill in the size) whatever fits. I know an architect who would cringe at the idea of a non continuous beam. I believe it's against code.