Hi everyone,

I'm planning to buy an old house in Winnipeg, but I found a 'jack' (it works as a supporting pole) in the basement... I want to know if it's common to have a 'jack' in old houses, or if it's something to be concerned about.

PLEASE, PLEASE, REPLY. ASAP

Finding jacks in basements are quite common. But what you need to understand these screw type jacks are for short term use only. Proper supports for floor joists should be steel columns filled with cement. These supports should also have proper footings under them.
For your concern, If you did not have a home inspection done, get it done. Your home inspector should be able to tell you if this jack was installed because of failing timbers or just to take a bounce out of a overspaned floor or to support the new center island in a kitchen. Not knowning where this jack is located, what its supporting, or if it has a footing under it, we could not tell you if its a concern or not. Ask your inspector. If he or she does not know find a local contractor that lives in the area to check it out for you.

Thanks a lot. I wanted to know the purpose of these 'jacks' because I was worried about failing timbers or something similar. I'll get an inspection done.

Cheers,