Rusty RSJ under bay window floor

[pyroboris]

Hi everyone, I've not posted much/at all/ this may even be my first post (certainly in working memory)

Currently renovating our living room (1930s house) and spotted a rather rusty RSJ supporting the floor that runs into the bay!

The one side looks worse than the other, I'll try to get in to give it a wire brush tomorrow and see what flakes away.

Any advice as to whether to leave it alone or might it need replacing?

Thanks in advance

Will

 

[Ian H]

For what it would cost I would replace it anyway. If it did fail it looks like your floor in the bay would sag but nothing major.

 

[^woody^]

Post back in about 60 years and we'll review it.

 

[pyroboris]

Thanks for the advice folks. In the end I got a new 9ft 5x3 steel beam (£65 from a local supplier).

Took the old one out and there's more rust there than I'd like to leave for another 60 yrs.

Thanks again!

 

[JohnD]

did you paint it?

looks like damp and condensation all over, but water dripping or leaking onto that bad bit.

 

[bobasd]

as above - its a pretty damp area so hopefully you've inserted either a bit of DPC material below the bearing ends of the new RSJ or wrapped the ends in a strong plastic wrap.
why not go below and probe the joist tails where they seat in brick pockets - look for decay.
try and find the cause or causes of the damp.
if you think its worth it then why not post a pic of the ground level at the bay?

good job you ignored the idiotic, trying to be smart comment about "60 years"?

 

[^woody^]

good job you ignored the idiotic, trying to be smart comment about "60 years"?

so hopefully you've inserted either a bit of DPC material below the bearing ends of the new RSJ

Lol.

Mushy bearings, mushy brains, same thing.

But on a positive note, at least that's given me something to do this weekend. Going around the house replacing all steel work with a bit of rust on them.... not forgetting the all important bit of DPC material under the bearings of course

Thanks for your input. Invaluable.

 

[Mobo_14]

Lol.

Mushy bearings, mushy brains, same thing.

But on a positive note, at least that's given me something to do this weekend. Going around the house replacing all steel work with a bit of rust on them.... not forgetting the all important bit of DPC material under the bearings of course

Thanks for your input. Invaluable.

Aww cmon captain sercastic

Even you couldn't say that steel wasn't needing changed

 

[^woody^]

Aww cmon captain sercastic

Even you couldn't say that steel wasn't needing changed

In 60 years ...... maybe.

100 years with bits of DPC under the bearings.

 

[tony1851]

Presumably the corroded end was built into brickwork?
If so, it suggests it may have been permanently damp; over time, mortar goes very gradually acidic and any mortar near the beam will cause it
to corrode more rapidy than normal.
As Woods correctly implied, steel beams can survive many years if just left unpainted and subject to normal atmospheric rusting, particularly inside a building.
There is a figure for the rate of conversion of the steel to oxide per year (can't remember it) but there is almost always plenty of metal left and usually
it is only a problem for our great-great-great-etc.....grandchildren.