I have a load bearing post in the centre of my home. It's in a dirt crawlspace and has sunk. How can I fix it?
A little bit depends on the height of your crawlspace. The shortest shoring post that I know of is approx. 3.5'. If height permits you can put one of these on either side of your existing post approx. 2' from post on
a 18" and 24" patio stones and tighten it up until the existing post is loose to take out. You'll need to make a concrete footing approx. 2' x 2' x 6" thick min. where new post will go. Once you are happy with proper height put in a new 6 x 6 post or metal post. If height doesn't permit a shoring post, you must use a hydraulic jack, again once you get your good height ,put in a couple of temp. 4 x 4 posts and put a larger 6 x 6 post where the old one was. Do not try to rush things. bigger the footing is under the main post the better.
Jack up the 2 sides the required distance. Remove existing post. Install new concrete pad and steel post (consult an engineer regarding pad and post size).
I assume the house has sunk not just the post. You will have to crawl in there and jack up the house to level and shore it. After that remove the post dig a footing approximately 3 cubic' and then reinstall the post. You should be fine after that.
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