What should I do more or less two (out of four) missing bolts surrounded by a underground store support post? I just purchased a home and removed a wall in the crypt...
I just purchased a home and removed a wall in the crypt that was butted up against the support post. There are two support posts in the concrete floor which supports the steel roof joist that runs the length of the house. The posts each attach beside four bolts to beam. One beam is attached properly the other singular has two bolts into the beam. I suspect that any in 1960 when the house was built the builder didn't insert the bolts because the holes didn't procession up exactly...or in 1970 when the wall was orginally built, the bolts be removed for clearance purposes. The floor isn't sagging, and the concrete where the post enter the ground doesn't look compromised. Should I be concerned? Should I just leave it alone, or put contained by a couple more bolts (slightly smaller than the others so they fit in the holes)?
Answers: Many posts are held in place minus any bolts. You generally jack the beam to smooth it with hydraulic jacks. When you let the weightiness of the building down onto the post it is held firmly in position by the enormous weightiness of the building. Probably the wall you removed also fastened it in place.
I generally use a 12 ton jack as my minimum size and recurrently use a 20 ton jack. I do fasten the posts but mainly because one time as I jacked for one post it lift the beam enough to loosen the previous post which fell towards me. A concrete jam-packed steel post could kill you..
It only happen once but, hey! You only live once.
If you are truly worried, rent a big slow drill and buy some "cutting" oil. Drill the holes so they procession up properly. I generally start with a small bit and afterwards enlarge the hole.
Lubricate the bit often near the oil and drill slowly. Speed will only go hard the steel and make it take for ever.
High speed steel bits should be ample, "gold" colored titanium nitride coated bits are better. Cobalt bits are the best.
Chances are you don't have to worry unless you plan to jack the building to rank the floors. Without seeing your exact situation I am generalizing.
I don't think you enjoy anything major to worry almost, but as a just in shield, place the other two bolts in. Best of luck with the investigational home!