do I have structural problem

[les]

Wood floor (main floor) above I beam has gap up to 1/4". There is a high point in the floor where the gap has occurred. When I lay a ruler on edge across the gap and measure 24" from the gap, the end of the ruler is 7/16" off the floor. The gap was not there when home was purchased new (2008). I do have a whole house humidifier. (The gap is in a section of the wood floor that is 6' long, gap is 1/4" on 1 end and 1/8" gap on floor 6' away). Builder is bankrupt.

I checked I-beam underneath and I have found the following.

Beam is 4" x 8" size and 24' long. Beam is set in poured wall pockets on both ends and there are 2 adjustable metal poles along the span. There does NOT appear to be shims under beam in the wall pockets.

BUT, beam is not vertical. What I mean is beam appears to have rolled (tilted"), or possibly was installed not vertical. When I put a level vertically on the edge of the I-beam, the bottom of the beam is 1/8" off of vertical on 1 end, and 1/4" off of vertical on the other end. There is a 2x4 on top of the beam that is "fastened" to the beam with nails that have been bent over. Nails on end with 1/8" roll, appear to be unchanged. Several of the nails on the end with 1/4" roll are not tight against the top of the beam.

 

[bob p]

Hard to tell but 1/4" is not a large amount structurally; probably less than original building tolerances. Since floor is up from beam I would expected it is because wood flooring has been exposed to moisture; expanded and buckled some. If the beam you discuss is in basement there may be water vapor. Normally a vapor barrier (plastic) would be installed under a wooden floor if it is over a basement or crawlspace. A dehumidifier in the basement might keep the problem from getting worse or you may also consider a vapor barrier under the beam but that isn't easy to seal in a retrofit. A more expensive vapor barrier woiuld be proffesionally sprayed foam insulation under the floor.

 

[bosshogg]

Les...did the builder go bankrupt because of solely cash reasons or were they regarded as cowboys? this could make all the difference to your question...bosshogg