Is this a supporting wall?
Discussion
I'm refurbishing a 1970's house at the moment, and I want to remove a wall in the kitchen.
The wall is made of brick and is part of the entrance into the kitchen from the dining area. It looks as if its probably supporting the joists above, which run under the bath and the hot water tank.
The total span of the upper floor joists (ignoring the wall in question) is 2.5m, and the joists are 215mm x 50mm, on 350mm centers. The bath and hot water cylinder are resting on 3 of these joists (ie bath runs in line with the joists).
The wall in question is at around the mid point of the joists, so is possibly there to support the weight of the bath and cylinder. Its in a bad position which means its even more likely to have a purpose rather than just to form the entrance (it intrudes into what is already a very small kitchen)
What causes me to question it is that the upper floor joists are large for the span, and 350mm centres is less than normal. It looks stronger than would be needed for just bedrooms etc.
I'm going to call building control in to look at it, but in the mean time I thought I'd ask on here. I would post a picture but I've no idea how, and the Upload Image button seems to do nothing
The wall is made of brick and is part of the entrance into the kitchen from the dining area. It looks as if its probably supporting the joists above, which run under the bath and the hot water tank.
The total span of the upper floor joists (ignoring the wall in question) is 2.5m, and the joists are 215mm x 50mm, on 350mm centers. The bath and hot water cylinder are resting on 3 of these joists (ie bath runs in line with the joists).
The wall in question is at around the mid point of the joists, so is possibly there to support the weight of the bath and cylinder. Its in a bad position which means its even more likely to have a purpose rather than just to form the entrance (it intrudes into what is already a very small kitchen)
What causes me to question it is that the upper floor joists are large for the span, and 350mm centres is less than normal. It looks stronger than would be needed for just bedrooms etc.
I'm going to call building control in to look at it, but in the mean time I thought I'd ask on here. I would post a picture but I've no idea how, and the Upload Image button seems to do nothing
Is there a wall above the one you want to take out?, if so , then yes, it is structural. You may require a steel beam in any case, to support the existing floor joists even if the wall is not structural, depends on the unsupported span of the joists above. LABC will be able to advise accordingly
Spudler said:
As you'll need to take up some floor boards or a section of ceiling down for Building Control to give advice, you may as well have a look yourself.
I've had the floor up above the wall (hence i know the joist sizes), the joists rest on the wall however that doesn't mean its a supporting wall. The wall could be removed, and the joists would still be supported at the ends. With the wall removed the joists will be spanning 2.5m.DrDeAtH said:
Is there a wall above the one you want to take out?, if so , then yes, it is structural. You may require a steel beam in any case, to support the existing floor joists even if the wall is not structural, depends on the unsupported span of the joists above. LABC will be able to advise accordingly
There is a stud wall, but its not sitting on the brick wall. The span is fine elsewhere in the house, is a reasonably simple design with the floor joists running front to back, with a supporting wall in the middle of the house. The wall I want to remove only sits under the joists that take the weight of the bath and water tanks.
I'll get building control around ASAP I think
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff