Support In Place Of An Internal Wall
Discussion
Planning to knock through the kitchen and dining room but it's a supporting wall (1980's cinderblock). The idea would be to leave the lower section in situ (minus a doorway) to act as a a base for a breakfast bar.
The wall is 3400mm long. How much of it can be removed? How much must be left at each end and what size RSJ (or similar) should be installed?
Lastly of course, what'll it cost me to have done to a plastered finish (East Herts)?
Thanks.
The wall is 3400mm long. How much of it can be removed? How much must be left at each end and what size RSJ (or similar) should be installed?
Lastly of course, what'll it cost me to have done to a plastered finish (East Herts)?
Thanks.
mk1fan said:
Blockwork doesn't always mean it is structural.
If it is structural you'll need to give more detail before any calcs can be done. You should also give notice to Building Control about the works.
A local Structural Engineer who can visit and look at it properly would be worth the fee.
Ta. I'm calling it structural because it supports a wall above, not because of the material If it is structural you'll need to give more detail before any calcs can be done. You should also give notice to Building Control about the works.
A local Structural Engineer who can visit and look at it properly would be worth the fee.
Get a structural engineer round to have a look at what you want to do. I pay about £70 for a simple 'knock through' calc.
He will tell you how much of the wall can be removed (maybe all of it, possibly you may need to leave a nib either side for the beam to sit on).
He will design you a beam to suit the application.
Call building control and tell them you want to do work to your property on a building notice basis.
They will want to check the SE's calculations and the standard of workmanship at various stages.
Get a builder to quote.
Too many variables to give an accurate cost but less that £2k all in.
He will tell you how much of the wall can be removed (maybe all of it, possibly you may need to leave a nib either side for the beam to sit on).
He will design you a beam to suit the application.
Call building control and tell them you want to do work to your property on a building notice basis.
They will want to check the SE's calculations and the standard of workmanship at various stages.
Get a builder to quote.
Too many variables to give an accurate cost but less that £2k all in.
I was thinking they'd...........
Scaffold boards on the floor.
Position Acrows at (say) one meter centres.
Wind up Acrows with scaffold boards on top.
Hack out plaster and blockwork.
Position, pack/level the beam.
Bolt beam into position.
Make good.
Remove Acrows and boards.
What have I missed?
Scaffold boards on the floor.
Position Acrows at (say) one meter centres.
Wind up Acrows with scaffold boards on top.
Hack out plaster and blockwork.
Position, pack/level the beam.
Bolt beam into position.
Make good.
Remove Acrows and boards.
What have I missed?
Flintstone said:
What have I missed?
only that the beam may need to rest on engineering bricks or similarThe spec will be in the engineers calcs though
FWIW When I did my lounge/old kitchen (kitchen now moved) I hid the RSJ in the ceiling space, because I didn't want that obvious break in the ceiling when a joist sits under it. PITA at the time but well worth it
Incorrigible said:
Flintstone said:
What have I missed?
only that the beam may need to rest on engineering bricks or similar
Think I'll search the Yellow Pages tomorrow and see who's nearby. Unless there's a PH structural engineer in the East Herts area who fancies the job?
You should be able to get a single pracitioner Structural Engineer to visit, collect all the info they need and provide you with a design and calcs for £175 to £250.
If you want an SE to provide you a design and calc based upon the information you supply then you should get one for £100ish. However, you'll be taking the liability on - the SE can't be resonsible for the information you supplied.
If you have all the info then there are online steel calculators you can use.
If you want an SE to provide you a design and calc based upon the information you supply then you should get one for £100ish. However, you'll be taking the liability on - the SE can't be resonsible for the information you supplied.
If you have all the info then there are online steel calculators you can use.
Edited by mk1fan on Tuesday 31st August 20:26
as I said, get a builder to quote. knocking through brick/blockwork is bread & butter. a larger outfit who do commercial work may well have their own se anyway.
I had my lounge & dining room knocked through, providing the steel myself to the builder's spec. (used to get them free). my mate (chartered se) checked the calcs (5min job) and all was well.
I had my lounge & dining room knocked through, providing the steel myself to the builder's spec. (used to get them free). my mate (chartered se) checked the calcs (5min job) and all was well.
We paid £700 all-in for a local builder to do what you've asked on a block wall in our new-build house back in 2004. Took two days and a massive RSJ. No mention of building control or engineers' reports.
I assume that although the house is still standing we're just incredibly lucky and could die at any moment.
I assume that although the house is still standing we're just incredibly lucky and could die at any moment.
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