What You Need to Know About Adjustable Lally Columns in Your CT Home

Adjustable steel columns, also known as screw jacks and beam jacks, 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 assembles, 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 2006 International Residential Code (IRC), Section R407.3, columns (including adjustable steel columns)...
  
  "shall not be less than 3-inch diameter standard pipe."

Poles smaller than 3 inches violate the IRC, although they are not necessarily defective. A 2½-inch post may be adequate to support the load above it, while a 4-inch post can buckle if the load exceeds the structural capacity of the post. Structural engineers -- not inspectors -- decide whether adjustable steel posts are of adequate size.

• The post is not protected by rust-inhibitive paint. The IRC Section R407.2 states:

All surfaces (inside and outside) of steel columns shall be given a shop coat of rust-inhibitive paint, except for corrosion-resistant steel and steel treated with coatings to provide corrosion resistance.

Inspectors will not be able to identify paint as rust-inhibitive. In dry climates where rust is not as much of a problem, rust-inhibitive paint may not be necessary. Visible signs of rust constitute a potential defect.

• The post is not straight. According to some sources, the maximum lateral displacement between the top and bottom of the post should not exceed 1 inch. However, tolerable lateral displacement is affected by many factors, such as the height and diameter of the post. The post should also not bend at its mid-point. Bending is an indication that the column cannot bear the weight of the house.
• The column is not mechanically connected to the floor. An inspector may not be able to confirm whether a connection between the post and the floor exists if this connection has been covered by concrete.
• The column is not connected to the beam. The post should be mechanically 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. 

by Nick Gromicko, Rob London and Kenton Shepard 

 

Nick Gromicko, FOUNDER. http://www.nachi.org
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) is the world's most elite, non-profit inspection association.
President, ComInspect, www.cominspect.com
Director, Master Inspector Certification Board, www.certifiedmasterinspector.org
Author, 15 books and Co-Host of  http://www.NACHI.TV  

A note From Judy: If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me, and if you have an idea for a topic that you would like to see on The CT Realty Blog, please include it in the "Post a Comment" section link below this post. We appreciate the feedback and look forward to providing you with the best real estate content, advice and service in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

 

Connecticut Financing Update and Mortgage Rates January 13, 2012

Today's BEST-EXECUTION Rates  - Best-Execution is the "most efficient combination."  This akin to the colloquialism "most bang for your buck," in the sense that we're looking for the shortest amount of time to recapture any applicable borrowing costs.  In some cases, lenders won't only NOT be charging those costs, but can actually pay a few of the other ones as well.  Either way, we look at the difference in cost between each rate.  

Until recently, that has been clearly at 3.875% with no threat of competition from lower rates, but they are gradually getting closer and closer, constituting less of a "diminishing return" to take a look at paying more in closing costs in exchange for a lower rate.  This is why we say 3.875% is still the best candidate for a Best-Execution rate, but 3.75% is getting close--because the gap in costs between 3.875% and the next few lower rates has not only narrowed, but also become more linear.  

Today set records thanks to Europe, both in terms of the broader economic landscape and specific events today.  Threats of a French credit rating downgrade by S&P flooded the Treasury complex with demand, lower the benchmark rates against which MBS (the "Mortgage-Backed-Securities" that most closely govern mortgage rates) are measured and valued.  When Treasuries rally (move lower in yield, higher in price) significantly, MBS tend to be rallying as well, though usually not as significantly.  Still, it was enough of a rally for MBS, and consequently mortgage rates, to improve. 

Today's Mortgage Rates

30 year fixed - 3.850% + 0% cost points for rate
20 year fixed - 3.750% + 0 % points for rate
15 year fixed - 3.250% +  0% points for rate
10 year fixed - 2.875%  + 0%  points for rate
5/1 ARM - 2.375%  +0 points for rate
7/1 ARM - 2.750 %  + 0 points for rate
10/1 ARM 3.250% + 0 points for rate

FHA/VA
30 year fixed - 3.750% with +0 % points for rate
5/1 ARM - 2.750%  with + 0 points for rate
7/1 ARM - 3.25 with +  .625 % CREDIT  point for rate

Jumbo - over 576,000 (in Fairfield County, CT)   to 2,000,000
30 year fixed - 4.625  % with 0 points  for rate
15 year fixed - 4.125% with 0  points for rate
5/1 ARM - 3.375% - 0 points for rate
7/1 ARM - 3.750 % - 0 points for rate

Jennifer Buchanan,  Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist at MetLife Loans is a seasoned veteran of the Mortgage, Banking and Broker Industry and specializes in mortgage loans throughout Fairfield County, Connecticut.
   Her attention to detail is unsurpassed, and her understanding of the marketplace makes it easy to find the right loan to fit her clients specific needs .  Jennifer's local processing and closing team are also known for their exemplary service.
   Understanding that the vast majority of mortgage brokers never discuss the long or short term  financial needs or goals with their clients, she set herself apart from the rest by obtaining the coveted CMPS  designation. (Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist)
    She is a member of the National Association of Responsible Loan Officers, and her commitment to ethics, understanding of the marketplace, and business acumen have earned her the respect of her peers and clients alike.

Jennifer Buchanan
Metlife Loans
203-341-6949

Jennifer Buchanan- Your certified expert
 on mortgages offering Free Unbiased
recommendations based on your needs.

A note from Judy: If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in Fairfield County, and are in need of an Realtor to represent you, I invite you to contact me, and if you have an idea for a topic that you would like to see on The CT Realty Blog, please include it in the "Post a Comment" section link below this post. We appreciate the feedback and look forward to providing you with the best real estate content, advice and service in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

We're in TheDailyGreenwich With Our 2012 Greenwich Real Estate Predictions

We're pleased to tell you that Greenwich's premier online news source has asked us our opinion of the real estate market in Greenwich, in addition to our ineterview articles in TheDailyWeston  and  TheDailyEaston, as well as our predictions for 2012. We invite you to read the article and check out their site.
 
Read the article in  TheDailyGreenwich. You can also see a copy of this article on our Greenwich Town page.

If you own a home in Greenwich and need an agent, call me, or contact me by email. I love this town, and I will get your home sold for the best price the market will bear. You can count on it.

We're Also in TheDailyEaston With Our 2012 Easton Real Estate Predictions

We're pleased to tell you that Easton's premier online news source, TheDailyEaston  has asked us our opinion of the real estate market in Easton as well as Weston, and for our predictions for 2012. We invite you to read the articles and check out their site.

New for you regarding Easton real estate from TheCTRealtyBlog is that we have also included annual real estate statistics for the past seven years for Easton on our site, which can be found on the left hand side bar under "Real Estate Market Reports" Here's the direct link to our Easton Statistics
 
Read the article in  TheDailyEaston . You can also see a copy of this article on our Easton town page .

If you own a home in Easton and need an agent, call me, or contact me by email. I love this town, and I will get your home sold for the best price the market will bear. You can count on it.

We're in TheDailyWeston With Our 2012 Weston Real Estate Predictions

We're pleased to tell you that Weston's premier online news source has asked us our opinion of the real estate market in Weston as well as Easton, and for our preditions for 2012. We invite you to read the article and check out their site.

News for you on the Weston front from TheCTRealtyBlog is that we have also included annual real estate statistics for the past seven years for Weston on our site, which can be found on the left hand side bar under "Real Estate Market Reports" Here's the direct link to our Weston Statistics
 
Read the article in  TheDailyWeston . You can also see a copy of this article on our Weston town page .

If you own a home in Weston and need an agent, call me, or contact me by email. I love this town, and I will get your home sold for the best price the market will bear. You can count on it.