Looking for recommendations for dealing with this:https://www.dropbox.com/s/xd8d0lcfbwx6wf1/support-beam.PNG?dl=0Should I use a new bolt? Or should I just put in a new beam? Or beams?If anyone has a contractor or other qualified tradesperson they trust for something like this I would appreciate hearing about them.Also in need of some kitchen floor tiles being replaced. Would also take recommendations for that.

a bolt will be easier and cheeper than a beam. unless there is something more wrong, get another boltif you can insert it from the top it wont fall out again.looks like a 5/8bolt, if holes dont line up good enough you might benefit from a spud (conical tool used to align holes), big hammer and a couple big clamps.

agreed. just put a new lag bolt in. and for extra fun you could cut some plywood and tie those beams together. like a foot long bandaid on each side, 4 big nails on each side, 16 total. you don't need a contractor.

matte wrote:Looking for recommendations for dealing with this:https://www.dropbox.com/s/xd8d0lcfbwx6wf1/support-beam.PNG?dl=0Should I use a new bolt? Or should I just put in a new beam? Or beams?If anyone has a contractor or other qualified tradesperson they trust for something like this I would appreciate hearing about them.Also in need of some kitchen floor tiles being replaced. Would also take recommendations for that.For starters, I would check the post for plumb. If it is (close to), hex bolts & nuts through the empty holes would be a first line of defense.Is the floor above level, or does it pitch towards the post location?Judging from the space between the 2 beams, it looks like the post may have sunk/settled significantly, possibly due to an undersized footing.

Thanks everyone.We had a structural engineer look at it. The house was built in 1961 and those 1/4" footings aren't really sufficient based on standards of today. There isn't any imminent danger so we're going to reinforce it in stages.There is some cracking in some of the wood crossbeams due to the weight of the roof and the massive concrete front steps, so we will first have 1/2" footings added to replace the 1/4" and then we'll have additional support added for the main joyce and the crossbeams.Thanks again!

I have an old (10-15 years) window AC unit.It still kicks out some coolish air but it doesn't have the oomph that it once did.Can I bring it over to the neighborhood Refrigerator/AC repair place and get it re-charged or something? I gave it a pretty good clean already.At one time this unit would have thoroughly cooled my smallish apartment, now it barely covers the living room.I'd like to keep it out of the waste stream for a little bit longer, if that's an option.