Structural wall?

[torqueofthedevil]

I am in the process of buying a house and yesterday the owner mentioned that the owner before him had knocked an internal brick wall down - not knowing that the wall went all the way up - until a year later the upstairs wall ended up in the kitchen. He has since built a stud wall upstairs and i presume fixed the joists that would have sat on the wall! There is no beam in there to support it!

This was 20 years ago so maybe the wall wasn't structural? The wall is at right angles to the joists but only runs through half the house. The other side of the house obviously doesnt rely on a wall in this position.

I just think its strange that a birck internal wall was built right up through both floors. Surely the joists must have been sat on it. And was the wall supporting the roof?

I had decided not to pay £700+ to get a full structural survey but now im thinking i need to. Any ideas on what you think the situation is? I might see if a building survey can come and just look at this issue.

[JR]

A stud wall could be strong enough but there are so many variablies that you'd be far better off cutting out the middle man and employing a Structural Engineer from the outset.

[flyingjase]

You don't need to go for the full survey, a structural engineer just to look at that wall should cost less that 200.

That said, if a previous bodger has done that, what else have they done that you don't know about?

700 quid may seem cheap if you end up buying a duffer. I was spent over 2k on a full survey which led me to the conclusion not to buy the house.

[Spudler]

Very differcult to advise on this without being on-site.
As mentioned, get an engineer in or, if you know one, a knowledgable builder will be able to advise.

[Si 330]

you have PM

[herbialfa]

Where are you based???