'Beaming Up' for a New Year - Page 2

When he works on such a beam, Gomes follows an eight-step process described in the story. It involves prepping and bracing the beam before matching, cutting, installing, and capping a replacement.

"Dry rot is a slow developing issue, and people can get immune to it," concedes Larson of the problem. Unfortunately, he added, "Those beams get beat up, getting exposed to the sun, the wind, and the rain."

As far as the repair vs. replace question, our story finds, "Experts say you can repair up to 20 percent of a beam's structure before replacement becomes the only viable option."

"For Gomes," the story states, "one key to replacing the rotted end of a beam is in choosing the right materials."

"Never use new wood to put together with old wood," he states of working mid-century homes.

"You can't buy beams off the shelf," says Michael Spehar, owner of the Building Company, another beam expert, who is based in the South Bay. "You need to use an architectural-grade beam that has less chance of warping or twisting. If you use new wood, it will shrink back within a year, and it will pull away from the house."

The story also provides contact information for modern-home beam specialists in every region of the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Southern California.

So, Scotty, why not make 2021 the year you really get 'beamed up' into the know about one of your home's most important features. Check out 'Those Dirty, Rotten Beams' in the Winter 2021 CA-Modern, and by clicking here.