I am trying to open my living room up to my front porch to make more living room space . There is a laod bearing wall I am only going to take out part of the wall on the one side of the porch where the living room is to open the room. What do I need to do to support the side of the room that is open ?
2007-01-11 01:34:49 · 13 answers · asked by APRIL C 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
One mistake, and you've got serious damage that your mortgage company, your insurance company, and local council will want to know about. OK do the decorating and flooring yourself, but on this occasion, get the experts in to knock the walls about!
2007-01-11 02:00:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need planning regulation approval.
a drawing from an architect is required to tell you what size lintel needs to be installed and how to deal with the wall. Anything else is guesswork
Jobs of this size can normally be done by buildings notice rather than full planning, your local planning dept will advise.
Going ahead without this is illegal and invalidate your buildings insurance.....not worth the risk for £108 application fee.
find a retired atchitect for a small job like this, they will be cheaper ( but still check they have insurance )
me: lots of house developement. In fact I put in 2 lintels last weekend to allow removal of an old low oak beam. I gave the building dept notice and they never turned up in 48 hrs so i'm clear. Went well, but i've been doing it for years.
I wouldn't attempt a load bearing job where i have to ask about it on Yahoo Answers
2007-01-11 10:53:52 · answer #2 · answered by Michael H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't remove it, have a pro do it. If you decide to handle it yourself, make sure that the ceiling is supported before removing the wall. You will have to put in lintel with suitable support. If there is a basement under the wall you are removing the support needs to go to the foundation. Do not use adjustable mono posts for final support, most are not to code. I still would recommend a local contractor.
2007-01-12 08:20:08 · answer #3 · answered by breezyburgee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have to ask the question, you had better hire it done. If you decide to do it yourself, have a buddy outside with a video camera. The $10,000 you wini on "Funniest Home Videos" will pay for some of the rebuilding costs.
2007-01-11 09:47:26 · answer #4 · answered by I fear my government 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
best bet is to get a professional builder in and get him to give you a full quote, then you can either have him do the job or if you are going to attempt it on your own, you'll know what wants to be done. Always err on the side of caution.
2007-01-11 09:44:43 · answer #5 · answered by billtheangler 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
before you remove it you need to put props up to support the celling then you remove the wall and put an rsj reinforced steel joist or lintel across were the wall use to be, remove the props and plaster the RSJ
2007-01-11 09:42:41 · answer #6 · answered by groves 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pay a couple hundred dollars to a structural engineer to permit it for you or you could have major problems if you ever decide to sell the house.
2007-01-11 09:41:57 · answer #7 · answered by Michael F 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Be very sure of what you are doing....
But if you are only removing a part of it
and you can put in a lintle that will spread the load.....
Just be very very sure......
I did something similar but it's hairy........
2007-01-11 09:40:57 · answer #8 · answered by farshadowman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Acrow props and a suitable lintel, best get professional help.
2007-01-11 09:40:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
you need a suitable strength RSJ, and put the RSJ in before removing the wall.
2007-01-11 10:00:14 · answer #10 · answered by mike-from-spain 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋