I've got a column in the center of a room that I'd like to remove. My question is this - how do I determine whether or not it's safe (or possible) to do so? This is my first real remodeling project and I don't know if this column is structural or cosmetic.

It is one of three 11' tall columns spaced about 42" apart. They were originally faced with 6" of natural rock all the way around, which I've removed. Based on the spacing of other supports in the room, I'm guessing that the one in the center may have just been cosmetic, but I'm not sure. It seems like the columns on either side of this one should be sufficient on their own but again that's just a guess.

The column is composed of a pair of 2x4's which are nailed to the ceiling beam. The bottom is resting on a piece of cardboard, not anchored to the floor at all.

Is it possible to tell if this structure is structural or cosmetic simply by looking at it? If I need to have a professional come take a look at it, who would I need to call?

Some pictures are here.

Thanks!

Looking at the photos, I doubt this is a structural component of the home. However there are many other factors that the photos do not show. With that said, I suggest you obtain the advice of a carpenter who has experiance in structural construction. He or she can give you better advice then any of can with the limited information provided.

Usually Bearing walls run perpendicular to the floor joists. That being said and after seeing the pics I would have to agree with what HHC said. Possibly even go as far as a structural engineer.

It looks as if some of the support beams are newer than others. It may just be the pics. Structural items must be taken very seriously.

You would also need jack-posts or a ' deadman' to hold up the weight of the beams when you remove a coloum.Just an additional thought. --MM22.

It's very difficult to get a good sense from the pictures, but it's very slender. This would make my gut reaction that it's not being counted on to do any work. Do you have a sense of what the other columns are? If the other columns are similar to this picture, then there is a pretty good chance that it is being counted on to do work. I would NOT call a carpenter to determine is a column is structural. Call a structural engineer.
There are many that you will need to consider if this column is structural. In addition to reinforcing it for strength, you'll be concerned with deflection and vibrations.

Thanks for the advice. The house is on a concrete slab (out in CA) so there are no floor joists.

The thing that originally made me wonder if this column wasn't needed was the spacing of it relative to the others. There are two other columns in the room which are spaced 7' apart - and then there's this one is smack in between two others which are also 7' from each other. I'm no engineer but it seems to me that if two colums spaced 7' apart is sufficient for one half of the space, wouldn't the same be true for the other half of the space? I'm sure it's probably much more complicated than that which is why I'm looking to get a professional opinion.

I've only stripped one of the other columns so far, and it's similar in construction to this one - two 2x4's with a piece of 3/8's plywood nailed to the side to make it square. The thing that seems odd to me is that these are not attached to the floor in any way. Seems that if they were holding up the roof you'd want them to be anchored - as it is now, they seem to slide around farily easily when given a good tap with a hammer.

I'm planning to finish stripping and exposing the rest of the structures within the next few weeks. Hopefully with everything opened up it'll be a little easier to see what's going on. I'll see if I can locate a local structural engineer once that is done.

To other guy. Please don't tap on the joists. If they move to much the floor may give in at worst the entire house. Like I said I am not a structural engineer.

That being said if the loists are moving that is not a " Good thing " Best case scenario. They may..I said MAY have been left behind and be remaining 'deadman' that were not removed.

Stranger things have been done by contractors.

But I wouldn't bet my house on it.Literally.--MM22.