Joist Hanger Support - Main Beam in Cellar?

Question

Sorry about lack of detail. I didnt expect such good answers on this subject from such good people so this is a repost. Your all good people...

Do i only need one joist/beam support hanger to support a Oak beam to the CELLAR wall as a fail safe incase it breaks at the weak end by the wall? The beam is 4.1" wide x 6" (100x150mm)
If need be, does anyone know which hanger type i should use for the job? IE bolt the hanger to the wall and support the main beam if need be. The beam is nearly 200 years and im worried it might snap one day!

SUMMARY:
The 15ft Main oak beam, is nearly 200 years old and apparently still strong, HOWEVER the one end which is in the old stone wall seems to be showing a TINY bit of play when i wobble it. It also has a small crack at the end part. This naturally makes me Paranoid as this beam is supporting a whole front room under the joists which are also 200 years old. As this is the ONLY wooden Cellar Beam supporting ALL of the joists of the front room and upper floors, it seems to have a tiny bit of play when i wobble it, as well of a small crack, so naturally im PARANOID/WORRIED the front room floor might collapse destroying everything i own as gas pipe is also under it! (Play as in when i grab it with both hands and shake it, it has a tiny bit of play. Im worried it might be rotton behind the wall which i CANT see.)
I do have house insurance but thats not the point as allegedly prevention is better than cure. I cant as of yet afford a builder to inspect the situation. The beam is 15ft long by 4"wide and 6" high. But if this snaps at the weak end by the wall, my whole family is a gonna and thats obviously not good. Ive heard that Acro props might do the job and/or builing a brick/block support post might fix it temporarily? If this is true the How/Why!?

If you'd like a pic of this beam then i can email you one. My email is [e-mail]

Many thanks for your help and input in to this matter.

Answer 1

sinbow ..if as you say the beam is 15ft long .and loadbearing then it would not be a 6x4 section ..more like a 12x12 .or bigger ..im a builder who is used to working with oak beamed houses ..and in the olden days they knew just how much weight a beam could carry ...so they would not have put in such a small beam ..and no loadbearing will you ever be able to wobble it ..my first check would be to go upstairs and open up floor to see exactly what is sitting on this beam ...there might be a steel up there ...i know this sounds silly but ..there are imitation you can buy ..made of polyurethane foam ..very light ..an imitation beam 15 ft long you can pick up with one hand ..i have used these where i have used steels and need to hide them ..they are very realistic ...and you could wobble one of these

Answer 2

simbow?..you aint finished this job yet...wow. nice detail on your newer q. look man, if you can wobble this 200 yr. old beam..guess what?...theres nothing above it (floor joists) resting on it. here in the states, as I told you yesterday, you absolutely need to be UNDER the beam to support it. like I said, put your joist hanger on, but still cut a 2x4 to go under it at the wall and bolt it too. but, if you really want to support the floor (who wouldn't) buy yourself a post jack, I know you've seen them. its usually a red 2 2-1/2 inch pipe that has a screw jack on the top. the outer half will have a screw that sets inside the pipe and after you adjust the height with the 2 pins, you crank up the screw until its pushing the beam up till it hits the rafters, then give her a few more cranks. NOW your certain to have the support you desire!!!! hope this helpS if ya don't want to spend the money on the jack, cut a piece a 2x4 to go unde rthe stone wall side and cut it an inch too long, then set the bottom and drive the top in with a sledge...dang I wish I was there to help with this job!! 4x4 would actually be better. send us a picture man!!

Answer 3

4" x 6" is tiny for a main supporting beam that's 15 feet long. It can't be meant to take much weight.



I'd be putting a "strongboy" (adjustable steel prop) under the centre of that beam.

Answer 4

200 year old construction will generally not be in the way you described (may be a modern fix as I am 99% sure joist hangers are a modern adaptation). Older wood frame construction will generally be "post and beam" or "ballon framing" (at least in the U.S.).



Is the joist resting on a sill at a foundation wall or is it hanging from joist header?

Answer 5

Contact a local home remodeling contractor to do an inspection on the beam.