Old-Fashioned Beam Raising

 

Saturday we had a good old-fashioned beam raising party.  It was a small party.

 

First, we had to make the beam.  That is six 2"x10"x8' boards with plywood sandwiched between.

We made a wooden sandwich.  No need for mayo, we've got screws.

 

See that window in the background, we had to open the window, slide the beam out the window, maneuver it between the supports, then bring it back into the house. 

 

{Insert joke here about not losing your beam out the window.  We chuckled about it, but we held on tight.}

 

 

But before we did that, we had to remove the original wall.  Walt Kowalski's support wall was so good that the old wall was no longer supporting.  The 2x4s were easy to remove. 

 

 

Walt Kowalski and Chain Saw Johnny had an excellent to save our backs and heads.  Instead of hoisting the beam straight up and holding it there, why not lift and support it several times.  That way, we can all be on the same end to lift to the next level. 

 

 
Three lifts on each side.  Three cross support braces.

 

 
Once we got it to the ceiling, then Walt Kowalski and Chain Saw Johnny were able to insert the supports on each side and the center support.  We probably had enough support and no center post was needed, but it was an extra piece of mind.

 

Finally, the support walls came down.  Wow.   

 WOW.  What an open space.  (Why didn't I bring my roller skates?)

 

 
Sunday Walt Kowalski and I worked on repairs to the floor where the wall used to stand, leveling the low spots, and putting down a new subfloor.

 
I know we have a long way to go, but this makes such a difference. 

Side notes:

After raising this beam, we stood back and said "Can you imagine doing this with a hammer and nails instead of power tools and screws?"  No, I can not.

With all of the new plywood, 2x4s, sweeping, and painting, the old-house smell is almost gone.