Home inspections and Adjustable Steel Columns

Adjustable steel columns, also known as screw jacks and beam jacks, and are hollow steel posts designed to provide structural support. An attached threaded adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the height of the post.
 A few facts about adjustable steel columns:

• They are usually found in basements.
• In some parts of North America, adjustable steel columns are called lally columns, although this term sometimes applies to columns that are concrete-filled and non-adjustable.
• They can be manufactured as multi-part assemblies, sometimes called telescopic steel columns, or as single-piece columns.

​
The following are potentially defective conditions:​

• The post is less than 3 inches in diameter. According to the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC), Section R407.3, columns (including adjustable steel columns)..."shall not be less than 3-inch diameter standard pipe." Structural engineers -- not inspectors -- decide whether adjustable steel posts are of adequate size. However most posts are 3 inches with exception of shorter posts.
• The post should be painted and protected from rust.
• The post is not straight. According to some sources, the maximum amount out of plumb should not exceed 1 inch. The post should not be bent or damaged.
• The column should be fastened to the floor or imbedded in concrete. The columns in the picture are not fastened correctly.
• The column is not connected to the beam. The post should be connected to the beam above to provide additional resistance against lateral displacement.
• More than 3 inches of the screw thread are exposed.
• There are cracks in upstairs walls. This condition may indicate a failure of the columns. 

---