Replacing a Rotted Lally Column in the Basement of a 100 Year Old Rental Property

If you're dealing with a rotted lally column in the basement of your century-old home, we've got you covered! This guide will walk you through the process of replacing a column, potentially saving thousands of dollars.
If you want more detailed instructions, check out my article here
dustybuilder.com/how-to-repla...
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[@daijoubu4529]

I would strongly recommend to use a thick metal plate on top of the bottle jack as it could split the wood end grain lol, need something to spread the load

[@thedustybuilder]

That is a great idea, thanks!!

[@kirtadams439]

Nice clear explanation of a job not many diyers would know how to do.

[@thedustybuilder]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@WhyTheHorseface]

This is a great video. I have one post that is starting to look like that at the bottom, but it’s filled with concrete. I don’t even know if I need to replace it after seeing your posts, but I feel much more confident in tackling the job of necessary.

[@thedustybuilder]

Cool, thanks. Yeah, mine were pretty bad and somehow didn't fail. I didn't even realize concrete poles were a thing. It certainly isn't common in my area. Good Luck!

[@WhyTheHorseface]

@@thedustybuilder mine are steel pipes filled with concrete (instead of cool newspapers from the 1970’s).

[@toddthreess9624]

I am always in favor of the "save my butt extra support post". Always a good idea. Safety comes from realizing that you may not have thought of everything, and dealing with the 'just in case'.

[@thedustybuilder]

Oh yeah, I've screwed up enough things so that I plan for it now! Thanks for watching

[@daijoubu4529]

Hydraulic jacks do sag and fail lol, always have additional support, like when working under a car

[@thedustybuilder]

Thank you for watching!

[@daijoubu4529]

I use a steel jack post with the bottle jack, the wood will flex under heavy load

[@thedustybuilder]

I hear you, but this load was not heavy enough for the wood to flex, plus I'd rather take a 2x4 to the head vs a hunk of steel if something went wrong!!

[@jaybhatt6094]

Any concerns with not having a footer for that lally column? Thinking about adding a lally beam underneath a sagging floor joist but annoyed by the idea of having to pour a footer. I have a "finished" concrete basement floor just like the video. Thank you!

[@thedustybuilder]

We have footings under the posts. We just cut out the old and put in new. Whenever a post is added where there wasn’t one, it should be supported by a footing. You could rent an electric concrete saw to make the cuts nice…. Or just smash out an area with a sledge hammer. Hope that helps!!

[@jojiran]

Where did you purchase the lally colums? Any idea if you specced the load carrying capacity or you just winged it . Looking for a steel shop in Detroit to fabricate a lally column and those bottom plates

[@thedustybuilder]

Smede and Sons is who you need….. I think they have a shop in Redford. To answer your question, no engineer. I did some Kentucky math indicating that new columns were better than rotted through old columns😬. It’s funny, loads for floor joists and beams are readily available, but not for Lally columns. Also, the weak link is really the basement ‘beam’ which is cobbled together pieces of oak and it hasn’t sagged at all. Good luck!

[@jojiran]

@@thedustybuilder really appreciate your response . Smede and Sons has a shop in Pontiac which is closer to where I live. Ive contacted many contractors in the Detroit area and most of them are not confortable doing a sistering ot beam lifting job. I did my own research and videos like yours have helped in a better understanding of how this works

[@thedustybuilder]

@@jojiran putting in a new beam isn’t too bad….. lumberyards will usually size the beam for you based on your situation……. Finehomebuilding.com has several articles and videos that can guide you

[@DIY.with.DianeD]

You noted the footing for these were in great shape, but how did you know that? Thanks, great information and content.

[@thedustybuilder]

Hello, the footings had no settling or cracking….. they were in perfect shape. Actually, even though the posts were a mess, they didn’t move either…… but it was only a matter of time.

[@DIY.with.DianeD]

@@thedustybuilder But, How did you KNOW they were in perfect shape? Was it after you cut out 1 column, was it because there we no cracking around the column? You only show supporting around 1, cutting it out and replacing. But, I don't understand how you determined the footing was in perfect shape. I could see if you cut out the concrete floor around the column, and got down to the footing to inspect it, but that is not shown or discussed. Thanks, and sorry if I just missed a detail.

[@thedustybuilder]

@@DIY.with.DianeD gotcha, I didn’t! I did not obtain any specific information indicating that the footings were in good shape. No core samples, no inspection hole next to it to identify how deep and wide the footings were…… nothing. I felt no reason to go looking for problems because the concrete had no sinking, cracking or spalling. Also, the floors above hadn’t moved. I saw no evidence to suggest anything in the area was moving. Would have it been a more thorough job to replace the footings too? Perhaps, but sometimes if it ain’t broke……

[@DIY.with.DianeD]

@@thedustybuilder Thanks for taking the time for the reply. This piece of information you provided, was perfect! "concrete had no sinking, cracking or spalling. Also, the floors above hadn’t moved. I saw no evidence to suggest anything in the area was moving." Now I have an idea what to look for on mine! Much Appreciated!

[@thedustybuilder]

@@DIY.with.DianeD glad I could help!

[@papatutti59]

Why can’t you use a 4x4 to lift the beam? Why two 2x4 nailed together?

[@thedustybuilder]

You totally could…. But I’m cheap. After this we went to another property and I used the 2x4’s to form up a small concrete pad.😬

[@truthlva3560]

I've been looking for a company to replace mine. I'm in Detroit... What's a good company? The house is 130 years old

[@thedustybuilder]

130 years old…. Cool. I wish that had a reference for you, I’m sorry that I don’t! I would recommend a min of 2 quotes when you start the process.

[@jhenderson6491]

🙏🏾 PLEASE, tell me where to get Lally Column's... I NEED 2 AND HOME DEPOT HAS NOTHING???🙏🏾

[@thedustybuilder]

I got these at a building supply store that sells steel I beams and egress windows. I you call around to a few local building supply shops, they should point you in the right direction They will cut to within an 1/8 inch. I had them weld a bigger plate on top to support that wide beam.

[@pikecollisionllc9868]

Search "Jack Post"

[@jfangio9260]

What would a job like this cost to have someone do?

[@thedustybuilder]

I have to imagine 1000-1500 a post, more if you have to replace the footing too

[@caddy4u17]

Where did you order these from??

[@thedustybuilder]

A place called Smede and Sons in Metro Detroit. They cut them to size for me as well