I'm dealing with a pretty tricky situation in my crawl space. The previous owner dug it out decades ago to create a basement, but they left behind this massive beam that weighs around a thousand pounds and measures 14" x 16" x ~20'. It's resting on cinderblocks on one side and in the dirt on the other, spanning above my sewer line. I don't think it's doing anything useful; it might have just been leftover lumber that got stuck during the basement work. I need to get rid of it to replace some plumbing but I'm worried nobody will want to handle it because of the risk of it crashing onto the drain line. What type of professional should I be looking for to help with this? If anyone knows someone in Seattle, that would be great!
3 Answers
How much clearance do you have down there? If the crawl space is only 3-4 feet tall, moving that beam will require careful planning. It might be simpler to shift it to the side instead of trying to take it out completely, but you need to make sure it doesn’t fall onto your septic line while you work.
You might want to try posting it on Facebook Marketplace for free and see who bites. That beam could be worth a good chunk of change if it’s in decent shape. It’s pretty impressive for its age too! If it can be removed in one piece, that could be a bonus, but be careful with who you let handle it.
Yeah, I agree! However, given the difficulties with removal, they might end up paying more for the removal job than the beam's worth.
It could even be worth more than you think, especially if it's custom milled. Just weigh the cost and the logistics of getting it out!
In an older home, why not consider just replacing the footings and leaving the beam as it is for support? Or, you could remove it while you’re replacing the plumbing, but just be sure to get it done carefully so nothing collapses!
Yeah, and if it’s pointing straight at the basement door, you'll have to think about how to stabilize it for safe cutting. Just make sure there’s room to work!