We have a load bearing wall that is exactly in the middle of our house that seperates the dining room from the living room. All of the walls in our house are block walls all the way through. In the attic, there are boards that go diagonally from the roof to where the wall is. I assume the wall is load bearing. Can the wall be removed and replaced with a column(s) to open up the space? What is the rule for how many columns I need for how long the opening is?
2006-11-08 16:15:11 · 7 answers · asked by BA92107 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Get a structural engineer, architect or contractor. This is not a Do-It-Yourself project.
2006-11-08 17:54:45 · answer #1 · answered by James H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wall must be replaced with the support system consisting with girder and columns. Columns must rest on the suitable footings or on the basement wall. You might be able to remove entire wall except about 12 inches at the end but it will require plans made by the structural engineer. Work is fairly complicated and beyond ability of do yourself guys.
2006-11-09 03:03:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You look to have the undertaking discovered ok, and additionally you have some concepts-blowing concepts subsequently an prolonged way. yet to truly tackle your commencing place concerns and supply you peace of concepts, if the interior wall is unquestionably a load-bearing partition it is going to have already got a concrete footing under it. to confirm this as actuality, get rid of the shoe mildew and base board alongside the wall in question and take a hammer drill with a a million/4" bit (long bit -- 8" min.) and drill alongside the only plate. a typical slab is approximately 4" thick, so in case you nevertheless hit concrete properly previous the 4" intensity mark, then you definately possibly have the footing you're needing. in case you do hit airborne dirt and dirt after 4" inches then you definately do no longer. this equipment enables the re-assembly of your base boards is the undertaking is a no flow.
2016-12-14 04:07:14 · answer #3 · answered by binford 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I need a little more information. You say you have block walls, but does that mean the interior walls also. In other words, is the wall you are trying to open wood or block.
If it block I wouldn't try doing it yourself. Depending on how big a hole you want, you may need a steel header or just a cinder lentel.
If it is wood the it is easier but just as potentioally hazardous. With wood you need to support the ceiling with temperary walls on either side of the center wall. Then take out whatever wall you want to open. Once open you support it with a header of either steel, wood or laminated wood. You need professional advice on the proper size and material. It depends on length, live load, and dead load that you are carrying. Also, the header has to have jack studs under it. The rule is one on each side for an opening up to 4ft. 4ft to 6ft gets two, 6 to 14 gets three. Each area has it's own code so you need to talk to your local buiding inspector on what is the rule in your local.
2006-11-08 16:27:04 · answer #4 · answered by Michael T 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Without getting too deeply into the entire text, I suggest this. In stating the Q it would be best to think to do it in the opposite way of how you wrote and thought the Q.
Certainly it can be done. ADD first,,, then SUBTRACT!
Rev. Steven
2006-11-09 01:04:15 · answer #5 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is not a DIY job, IMO. You need to be able to blame someone else in case your house falls down. I'm pretty sure you will find it hard to find anyone to insure your house if you try this yourself.
2006-11-08 16:29:05 · answer #6 · answered by Madame M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is one of those times you need to get a professional to remodel your home.
2006-11-08 22:41:19 · answer #7 · answered by Larry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋