Moving a telepost

11/30/2009 at 8:56:22 PM

It is not that simple. You will need to determine the maximum span of your supported floor before determining the size your beam will be increased to. As well adding a ply to the outside of the beam does not just make the beam stiffer. Also, you will need to take into account that you will no longer have a footing under your new telepost location and therefore will need to removey your concrete floor, excavate and pour the appropriate footing. My best advice is to cunsult an engineer on this, if you are serious about moving this post and it seems worth it to you, the $300.00 you spend on it will be worth it, and you will probably need it for permit anyways.

Hope this helps

12/1/2009 at 8:55:04 AM

Thanks Jeremy, I didn't show it on this drawing, but I did plan for putting a footing for the new telepost. Also, the 11 foot span already exists between the next two telepost in the row. All I'd be doing is staggering the spacings. instead of 9'-6" from the wall to the post ,then 11' -6" between the next two post, and 9'-6" at the end. I would have 11'-6", then 9'-6" , 11'-6" and 9'-6" . According to the CMHC built up beam spec sheet, adding the additional 2X10 should allow for a greater than 12' span. I'd like to actually discuss it with someone whose actually done this before.

12/15/2009 at 3:55:07 PM

They just don't make it easy for you! Having researched all the information about floor supports, beam spans and telepost footings. I questioned the City planning dept. about doing what I want , how I plan to do it and with what material etc. They told me I need a structural engineering to approve my structural changes. Fine! I spent half the morning looking for one that does residential, to then be told I needed to do exactly what I thought all along I would have to do, but I get to pay $500 to a engineer who esentially looked up the same design specs that I did but its written on his letterhead instead of my graph paper, just to satisfy the city. Wonderful. No wonder so many people don't get permits when doing renos

2/20/2010 at 11:22:26 AM

Hi Simon,

I completely understand what you are saying. But, at the end of the day you are essentially safe-gaurding your investment (your home) by getting a stamp of approval by an engineer and pursuing proper permits through the city. If there were ever an issue with how the work was done (no permit) and specifications/drawings were not approved then it could cause you greater issues down the road with insurance claims as well. The fact that it is being approved by an engineer/the city and done by a professional goes a long way to protect your home. I know it can be a hassle but at least you can rest easy knowing that you are doing it the right way and that you have recourse in the event of a major issue. Good luck with the project.