Basement Beam Specifications for Support on Sagging Walls

Basic Specifications

• All bracketing systems for sagging basement metal walls use steel I-beams. An I-beam system consists of two flat steel beams that run parallel to one another and a perpendicular beam that runs between them, all fashioned from a single piece of material. Sagging walls are under a great deal of pressure and also weigh a significant amount, so the stronger the beam material, the better it performs its job. According to the Association of Fire Chiefs, steel constitutes the strongest commonly used building material, hence its use in this application.

Size Specifications

• The size specifications for basement support beams vary, depending upon the size of the walls and the beam manufacturer. The height of a beam depends entirely upon the height of the wall. Support beams run from the basement floor to the bottom of the frame for the floor above the basement. So, if your basement wall is 10 feet high, you need a 10-foot I-beam for support. The weight, width and depth of a beam depend upon the mold and materials used by the beam manufacturer.

Bracket Specifications

• All basement support beam systems use brackets to provide additional support to the I-beams, though bracket specifications differ depending upon who designed the bracket system. Some brackets have a large, spring-loaded bolt that screws in tight against the top of each I-beam to hold it in place. Other systems use brackets with arms that extend from the main bracket unit to the top of the I-beam. These arms use a series of bolts and locking mechanisms to provide additional support to the I-beams. All bracket systems attach to joists, or beams, on the underside of the first floor of the home.

Additional Information

• When it comes to installing a basement beam system to support sagging walls, always refer to your local building codes and consult with a structural engineer. A structural engineer can tell you what type of beams you need, how many of them to install and how to do it without injuring yourself or your home. Local building codes specify all the laws you must obey when undertaking construction projects. Some alternative methods to using steel bracket systems exist, such as the use of wood beams placed laterally against a wall. However, these methods are temporary fixes to hold up a wall during or before replacement and are not a permanent solution.