[Jimmyjim]

Hi! I got a question about a Tele post in my house. The post supports three 2 x 8 wood beams that the floor joists sit on. But between Telepost and the wood beam there is a 2x4 before the telepost meets the 2x8 beams, but it doesn't expand the length of the wood beam for full support

I'm guessing the telepost isn't tall enough so they stuffed that in there.

This an issue?

 

[de-nagorg]

No.

It's a shim.

Done often.


ED

 

[Aggie67]

That piece of 2x4 is considered a "compressible shim", and it can be a potential problem, especially if it's laid flat (compressive strength in dimensional lumber is different depending on grain orientation). The IRC doesn't address compressible shims specifically, but it also doesn't address how plumb a wall or how level a floor should be.

Picture yourself 10 years down the road and that shim is compressing, and your drywall is cracking in the rooms above. Is settlement normal? Sure. Should you have to put up with it? No. Can it be minimized? Yes, and one way is by using non-compressible shims. Look at the plans for any commercial building, and you will find a spec that states only non-compressible shims will be used.

Also, there is only one known manufacturer of tele-posts in North America that has a code-compliant adjustable post. If it doesn't carry a label with the load capacity and what code it satisfies, it's a non-prescriptive element.

When inspecting homes for structural problems, I will always call out wood shims and adjustable posts as areas of concern.

 

[Jimmyjim]

Thanks, should I do something about? As in buying a new telepost?
Not sure of the best way to remove and replace... Damn homeownership..

 

[Aggie67]

If it were me, and I had the room already unfinished, I'd replace them for two simple reasons: (1) because when I went to sell the house, a competent home inspector would call that arrangement out, and (2) it's a simple way to head off any settlement issues down the road.

There's a company out there with a code compliant diy retrofit post that satisfies the IRC. They even have a youtube video showing you step by step how to replace the post. If I remember correctly it's Dean Column.