Is this pole load bearing?

borocay

Hi, as shown in the pictures I have a pole in my kitchen that has a table built around it. My wife would like to remove it to make room for a nicer table and to move things around. I have a feeling it is load bearing since there is no other visible support for the ceiling joist other than the wall behind it leading into the living room and the outside walls. It was in the original blueprints with a table built around it. I don't know how to read blueprints that well so I am not sure if there is some symbol on the prints to indicate that it is a weight bearing pole. If it is, is there some work around so that it can be removed. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.......Also, before you ask, my wife has not danced on the pole for me. Every man that comes to our house ask that question.

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gregzoll

I am guessing that this structure is a double wide manufactured home. As for that pole, how did they get that table on it? You will have to take the base off to look at the bottom of the pole, and as for the top, you are going to have to do the same.

Can you post a picture looking the other direction, than how the angle is in the first picture, along with a picture from outside facing the window in the second picture.

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borocay

Thanks for responding. No this is a home built in 1959 or 1960. From what I can tell the table was cut in half and then reattached after the section for the pole was cut out. It is supported underneath by small L-brackets. The beam at the top does run the length of the house and comes out on exterior of the house about a foot or so on both the front and the back. I've included some pictures of the house.

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gregzoll

My guess is that it was placed there for a reason, which probably means that it is holding the beam at that point. If you are really wanting to be sure, find a engineer or General contractor that is familiar with that model of home and have them look first hand. Better than just asking some strangers on a Internet forum, even though we have some homes like yours in my town.

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Canarywood1

You'll need a structual engineer to tell you if it's load bearing or not,don't take anybody else's word for it.

kwikfishron

No you don't.

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JulieMor

Is that a steel column wrapped with wood veneer?
Is it a solid wood post?
If so, what type of wood is it?
Can you access the top and see what sits on it?

cortell

I think it's safe to say that pole wasn't put their for aesthetic reasons. I would assume it's serving a structural role. Removing it should not be a problem as long as you replace it with some other type of column.

Canarywood1

Unless you want to take the chance of it coming down around you!!

borocay

I guess I will have a structural engineer look at it. The pole is made out of steel with wood veneer type stuff wrapped around it, so it was meant to support something. Probably the roof. I know my options are limited since there is not much else that I know of that can be placed in that area to support the roof.

JulieMor

Then it's structural. If you remove it you will need a beam that spans to the outer points of where the structural beams are presently going. That beam will be considerably larger than the existing ones and you'll need additional support at each end of the new beam.

Another option is to relocate the column. Whatever you decide to do, unless you leave things as they are, you'll need a certified engineer and an experienced contractor to do the work.

robertcdf

Actually you turned out to be right, he doesn't need a structural engineer to tell him its structural, he just told us it was structural by telling us it was steel.

If he wants to move/remove it then he will need an engineer.

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sdsester

OP you said you have the as built blueprints with changes noted? Share those with the architect or structural engineer.

You will need new stamped drawings, permits, signoffs, and inspections if you change structure. Your design pro can navigate that for you.

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concretemasonry

That "pole" is not a structural element, but it serves a very valuable structural purpose from a design load standpoint in this structure.

With a roof with such a low slope, there is a tendency for the beams (supported on one end by the center beam) to push the walls outward and center beam to deflect down.

By putting in a support near the middle of the center beam, you eliminate/minimize the vertical deflection of the center beam and the tendency to push the tops of the external walls out. This is a typical case where the span tables work for vertical "canned" solution, but buildings and members deflect even though they are strong enough.

A trussed roof with a greater roof slope would not put an outward thrust on the exterior walls. Another solution is to run something between the opposing exterior walls to hold things together and minimize cracking.

Dick

cortell

Curious. What is the distinction? What makes it NOT a structural element?