Looking for anyone that may be able to help me determine if these columns are load bearing. Here is a link to my floor plan but it doesn’t indicate.
We don’t really use our dining area so we are thinking of getting a pool table. With the columns an 8ft pool table will fit bit only if you play with 48” sticks so no good. But if I can remove the columns I can turn the the table and an 8ft table works perfect. I looked in the attic and about where the columns are is where the AC is so not sure as they could be load bearing. Any help?

http://www.newhomepreview.com/build-directory/ewExternalFiles/322FP.pdf

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Yeah they are big on the outside and pretty hollow when you tap but don’t know how solid they are inside. Gonna see if the builder will disclose as they should know. But sometimes they won’t help you at all.

Concrete slab so no crawl space underneath.

May have an answer from my neighborhood group....a couple people have confirmed they are load bearing.

Appreciate the responses and suggestions. I have a plan B for a pool table so may have to go that route.

Thanks!!!

There is a roughly 10’ X 10’ stricture in the attic the AC sits on and of course the AC is positioned right about where the columns are.

Gonna see if the builder will tell me if they are load bearing. I suspect they are but with another wall so close I can’t be certain. Definitely need the structural detail.

Been busy at work. Lots of good comments/suggestions so gonna see what I can figure out without having to pay an engineer.

It’s one story. In the attic they built what I referred to as a structure but more of a deck about 10x10 over the rafters and that is what the AC is sitting on. To me the columns look to break that room off as it is supposed to be a dining room area. The space separated by the columns is the EXACT dimensions recommended for an 8ft pool table if you play with 48” cues LOL. Now granted 70% of the shots you could use a longer cue but you would be grabbing a short cue pretty often so to me the table is still too big. A 7ft table helps but the space is only big enough to accommodate 52” cues.

Gonna dig a little further into this and will let you know what I find out

Thanks again for all the suggestions/comments!!!!

And for reference the space created by the columns is 15’ 6” x 11’ 10”.
Without the columns I can easily fit an 8 ft table. It would allow the space to be 15’ 6” x 17’ 9”.

It’s a 1 story house. I don’t have a floor plan handy. Not sure if these pictures help. It’s foam insulation up there so not really much to see unless you know what you are looking for. From the attic opening looking down to the floor is the entryway to the dining area where the columns are.

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So curiosity got the better of me and I drilled a hole in each column. They are hollow stuck a 16” length of wire in there and I can hit both sides of the column. Stuck a long screwdriver in there as well and they are hollow. The corners are solid but I am guessing that is just the frame to hang the sheet rock. May be in good shape after all....

Yeah...that’s the next problem to solve. Don’t care about the electric in the column. We had the floors installed a year ago so I know the floor has to be fixed. I have 2 boxes left...I am sure a good flooring guy knows a couple tricks to fix it. If it can be done for a reasonable cost these columns are outta here.

I stuck a 16” screwdriver in there and moved it side to side....if there was a beam I would have hit it. Drilled a bigger hole and 2x4’s for the frame and sheet rock is all I see.

I am definitely gonna get it checked out by a qualified person to be 100% certain but I have confirmed they are both hollow. They are just 2x4 fames in the corners with sheet rock. If this was load bearing I would have expected to find at minimum a 4x4 post or a metal post. I am confident it is worth pursuing at this point so will let everyone know how it turns out...may be a month or so.

Good eye...I will go and take a look at that tomorrow....not shocked. They throw homes up so fast. It’s scary to think about what is really hiding behind the sheet rock of most homes LOL!

Ok. Confirmed with the builder these beams are structural. Cost prohibitive to take them out.

But I am on to another project and have another question. I am remodeling my garage. It was built out by the previous owner and he went completely rustic- Tin ceiling, wood on the walls. Rough wood timber’s for the floors. Finally at a point to redo it and make it a proper garage/game room.

The size is 20 X 40 with 8’ ceiling and has an upstairs with the same foot print except it is barn style so the ceiling is vaulted…actual usable space is 15 X 30 (space is lost for stairs and half bath).

Question is how much weight can the floor hold. Upstairs subfloor is 22/32” OSB. Joists are on 16” centers spanning 20’ (technically 21’ if you include walls). Because this is barn style the upstairs walls are about 2.5 feet from the actual downstairs walls. I plan on 8-10 games (pins/vids). Is this subfloor suitable or do I need to add a layer to the subfloor?

Appreciate all the input from everyone! From the builder they convert/sell them as full living spaces. They give options for full/ half baths etc. Others in my neighborhood have put pool tables up there or converted them to man caves or apartments. I use mancave loosely because they have a couch, TV, poker table but no one I know of has pins/vids upstairs. I am not planning on a pool table but maybe 6-10 games at the most. Pretty sure I will be fine but you have to think about max 10 games and 10 people so…..loading does come to mind. Floor feels VERY solid as is. Every weight chart/spec I can find has no definitive answer.

There looks to be a local structural engineer and I will give them a call to see if they will come take a look. This will be the best option so I can sleep at night not worrying about it.

Good thing is I am at a point where I can fix/ change anything if needed.

Will follow up with what I find out.

Thanks!!!