Why should I pick steel for my new support beam?

• <div><p>You should pick steel for your new support beam for a few reasons. While steel is more expensive than other materials, such as laminated veneer lumber or glulam, it offers the following benefits:</p><ul><li><p>Fire-resistant</p></li><li><p>Unaffected by pests</p></li><li><p>Longer-lasting</p></li><li><p>Stronger against water damage (when galvanized against rust)</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

Do monolithic slabs have footers?

• <div><p>All foundations have footers, including monolithic slabs. In some cases, the foundation itself acts as the footer, as in the case of a floating slab and a monolithic slab. With a monolithic slab, the footers—which are just the bottom-most portion of the foundation that distributes loads down to stable soil—are a part of the main slab and are constructed with a single pour.</p></div>

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Q: Is it okay to drill into a load-bearing beam?

• <div><p>You should avoid drilling or cutting into load-bearing beams because removing material will weaken it and increase the risk of structural damage or even collapse. If you do need to drill into a load-bearing beam, speak with a structural engineer first to discuss where it&rsquo;s safest to drill and the width and depth of the bit that&rsquo;s safe to use.</p></div>

Q: What factors affect building costs?

• <div><p>The costs depend on the type of wood, labor, roofing material, permits, and whether additional storage or enclosed walls are included.</p></div>

Q: For which type of foundation cracking should a structural engineer be recommended?

• <div><p>The <a href="https://www.nahb.org/">National Association of Home Builders</a> requires repair of any foundation crack of more than one quarter of an inch, although local regulations may vary. In general, any visible crack that is growing in size, allowing water through, or that you have just noticed, is a good reason to call a structural engineer. Cracks can be a sign of a <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/sinking-foundation.htm">sinking foundation</a>, so an inspection is a good idea for your peace of mind.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Colbert, WA

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Colbert, WA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Structural Engineering companies in Colbert, WA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

Last update on August 29, 2025

Reviewed in August 2025
Adam and his crew beautifully removed a colossal old pine that was posing structural danger. They also took out some old diseased trees along our driveway. Both projects began when scheduled, were completed on time and clean up was lovely. I won’t hesitate to contact Tree Brothers for future...
The Tree Brothers, LLC
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Reviewed in October 2024
This guy has the knots to climb anything safely. Removing risky trees leaning over a structure with precision and care. Extremely hard worker, I would recommend to anyone.
Austin's Tree Services
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Reviewed in March 2024
Brian and Linda built and installed a beautiful and fully functional addition to our home. They are a team of skilled artisans who worked with us to ensure the build was in line with what we wanted. From the planning stages to completion, they demonstrated a commitment to excellence, both in...
LaPos Creations LLC
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Reviewed in October 2023
I had the pleasure of working with Stetson's Masonry on multiple projects, and I can't say enough about the exceptional craftsmanship and professionalism they brought to the table. Stetson's Masonry transformed two of my homes with their stone work, creating a breathtaking indoor...
Stetson's Masonry LLC
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Reviewed in August 2023
Bob was amazing to work with. Excellent understanding of the engineering requirements of our project, responsive, and kept us informed all along the way. If there is such a thing as a perfect experience, working with Bob was it!! Thanks so much to Bob and his crew!
Robert Stice Construction Consulting
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Reviewed in October 2021
Took a little longer than expected, but the project was to demo a big burned out structure and Chandler was very attentive to requests and keeping me updated. I’d also like to point out they did a fine job installing a new chain link fence with gates around my property.
Platinum Rooter & Plumbing
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Reviewed in September 2021
To say I am frugal is by no means a lie. I do not like spending my hard earned money on much of anything and if it comes out to be more than I had projected, I am even less inclined than to begin with. So when I got the quote from Paul for the work needed to get a new deck, I immediately started...
Kleen Cut Builders
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Reviewed in December 2020
Our yard is transformed! The new fence and deck look wonderful. The front porch floor on our 1923 home fits the historic look of the home and is much more structurally sound. Simon and his crew were very flexible with our wonky schedule and very accommodating to design changes on the fence....
Simon's Construction Services
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Reviewed in September 2020
The people at Palmer Construction truly listened to my needs. They came out and did a complete inspection of my home. During their inspection they identified a bigger structural problem with my garage. So, we changed the statement of work and probably saved the foundation of my garage. I am...
Palmer Construction
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Reviewed in July 2020
I used Raptor Rooter Plumbing for the rough-in plumbing to the finished plumbing when building my house. This was a residential build with home owner as the contractor and very little engineered drawings. Pros: Raptor Rooter was very responsive from the beginning through texting, email, and...
Raptor Rooter & Plumbing, LLC
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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

You should avoid drilling or cutting into load-bearing beams because removing material will weaken it and increase the risk of structural damage or even collapse. If you do need to drill into a load-bearing beam, speak with a structural engineer first to discuss where it’s safest to drill and the width and depth of the bit that’s safe to use.

You should pick steel for your new support beam for a few reasons. While steel is more expensive than other materials, such as laminated veneer lumber or glulam, it offers the following benefits:

Fire-resistant
Unaffected by pests
Longer-lasting
Stronger against water damage (when galvanized against rust)

The costs depend on the type of wood, labor, roofing material, permits, and whether additional storage or enclosed walls are included.

The National Association of Home Builders requires repair of any foundation crack of more than one quarter of an inch, although local regulations may vary. In general, any visible crack that is growing in size, allowing water through, or that you have just noticed, is a good reason to call a structural engineer. Cracks can be a sign of a sinking foundation, so an inspection is a good idea for your peace of mind.

All foundations have footers, including monolithic slabs. In some cases, the foundation itself acts as the footer, as in the case of a floating slab and a monolithic slab. With a monolithic slab, the footers—which are just the bottom-most portion of the foundation that distributes loads down to stable soil—are a part of the main slab and are constructed with a single pour.

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