Screw Jack posts in basement?

[NC Values]

Are screw jack posts an acceptable permanent structural support inside a basement? I may be wrong, but I thought screw jacks were only meant to provide temporary support while a more permanent repair is being made. I am doing a refi appraisal for a 1100sf home built in 1952 that has a full semi-finished basement. Home was remodeled approx 5 years ago and the posts may have been added at that time. The 3 screw jacks support a floor beam for the main level.

What comments are needed in the appraisal for these screw jacks? Should the appraised value be made subject to a required structural inspection?

 

[CANative]

Should the appraised value be made subject to a required structural inspection?

That's what I would do. Call for repairs if indicated by the structural inspection.

 

[Abester]

My dad has had screw jacks in his basement for 41 years.

 

[AJL118]

If you have rigid main beam support, how are you going to adjust to offset natural leveling? Screw jacks are perfect for that. My folks' house is about 70 years old and has screw jacks under the main beam. To my knowledge, they have never been adjusted. I wouldn't even mention it. It doesn't mean the construction is flawed.

 

[jimmyfrank]

My dad has had screw jacks in his basement for 41 years.

I guess you would need screw jacks for a basement in Florida. Makes it easier to level the floor as the earth shifts!

 

[Rlong]

Yes, adjustable posts are standard on alomost all tract and semi-custom homes with basements and crawlspaces. Builders do not have "custom steel" posts for these type homes. Is standard in IRC, UBC, etc code.

Bob in CO
20+ yrs licensed contactor
14+ yrs appraising

 

[JSmith43]

In cold climate retrofits, they are often placed on top of a slab where there is no footing. It might work, but the proper way to install them is to bust through the slab and install a footing below the frost line even if the basement is heated year round.

Kind of a picky technical call, if there is no apparent failure. If I were performing home inspections, I'd do more research on this & probably look at the situation with a more critical eye.

Rex, home inspector Rex, please share your thoughts.

 

[Mr Rex]

They should be OK if they are properly secured at the floor and at the top @ the connection with the beam. Of course, I would probably call for a structural inspection since the OP says they may have been added at a remodel 5 years ago or at a minimum have the owner provide the CO from the local Code Enforcement from the prior remodel, just to CYA. They may just be sitting on top of the basement slab and not have a proper footer underneath.

 

[Greg Bell]

Screw Jacks hold up half of Kansas homes.Not a problem.Beer cans and cinder blocks are a problem..

 

[Mark K]

Screw jacks were commonly used during construction in older homes and some of the less expensive construction today continues to employ them; very common and very adequate. They generally thicken the slab under the posts so if the concrete hasn't cracked/broken in your 58 year old home, its probably going to be good for another 58.

Unless you observe signs of excessive settlement, there's no reason to call for a structural inspection.