Should I keep the jacks in the basement or install a few metal I beams?

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Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
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Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
1y
Quote from @Aaron Raffaelli:

 well i see what looks to be water in the basement, but even if its dry I would not spend the money to install steel beams to remove the jacks as it will be cost prohibitive and I do not think its really going to buy you anything as you will either need toinstall supports at exterior wall or cut into the exterior to then have the beams bear on those walls. 

To me not worth it.

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  • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Aaron Raffaelli:

     well i see what looks to be water in the basement, but even if its dry I would not spend the money to install steel beams to remove the jacks as it will be cost prohibitive and I do not think its really going to buy you anything as you will either need toinstall supports at exterior wall or cut into the exterior to then have the beams bear on those walls. 

    To me not worth it.

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    • Aaron Raffaelli
      OP
      New to Real Estate · Metro Detroit Michigan · Member since 2024 · 28 posts · 12 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Chris Seveney:
      Quote from @Aaron Raffaelli:

       well i see what looks to be water in the basement, but even if its dry I would not spend the money to install steel beams to remove the jacks as it will be cost prohibitive and I do not think its really going to buy you anything as you will either need toinstall supports at exterior wall or cut into the exterior to then have the beams bear on those walls. 

      To me not worth it.

      Awesome advice, I know it is an expensive endeavor which is why I wasn’t sure if i should pursue it or not. Also the water is because I accidentally had the sub pump off the night before and the house is on a river.
      Thank you!
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  • Alecia LovelessPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1y

    @Aaron Raffaelli We are required by our mortgage company and our insurance to remove any temporary jacks in the basement and replace them with permanent supports.

    I can’t tell totally from your photo if these are the temporary jacks or the permanent type.

    It usually only costs me about $300 apiece to replace a temporary jack with the permanent support meaning I can usually do a whole basement for under $3000 which is much much much less expensive than adding I Beams.

    1Reply
  • JD MartinBusiness Member
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    Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    1y

    There's no reason to take the lolly columns out unless you're trying to figure out how to open up the basement. You do need to figure out the water they're sitting in, as the bottoms are going to rot off of them over time. 

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    • Aaron Raffaelli
      OP
      New to Real Estate · Metro Detroit Michigan · Member since 2024 · 28 posts · 12 votes
      1y
      Quote from @JD Martin:

      There's no reason to take the lolly columns out unless you're trying to figure out how to open up the basement. You do need to figure out the water they're sitting in, as the bottoms are going to rot off of them over time. 

      Thank you for the advice!
      I accidentally shut the sub pump off the night before the picture, and some water found its way in from the river next to the house.
      0Reply
  • Aaron Raffaelli
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Metro Detroit Michigan · Member since 2024 · 28 posts · 12 votes
    1y

    This is what I was worried about. I was not aware there were other ways of adding support other than beams or temp jacks. I will absolutely look into doing this.

    Thank you!

    Aaron Raffaelli

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  • Scott Mac
    Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    1y

    Regarding the water, you could try something like Drylock paint, And see if that solves the problem overtime versus just for a short time.

    Seeing your basement reminded me of this:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFYInGXJZXA

    1Reply
    • Aaron Raffaelli
      OP
      New to Real Estate · Metro Detroit Michigan · Member since 2024 · 28 posts · 12 votes
      1y

       😂😂😂 thank you for the video

      1Reply
  • Evan Bonnell
    Investor · La Salle, IL · Member since 2014 · 43 posts · 28 votes
    1y

    Don't waste your money on Drylock paint. You have a sump pump already which is far better than Drylock paint. 

    Regarding the posts, I have these in most of my rentals. I consider them permanent, not temporary. Steel I-beams would be crazy expensive when floor jack posts seem to be working fine. I'd question the insurance company.

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