Load bearing? / How to find an structural engineer?

[isdoo]

Hi,

We would like to remove a wall. We have had various builders round to give us quotes for this and other work.

Some say it is load bearing, or they think it is - others say it is not.

I lifted a couple of floorboards today to try and have a look. There is no wall above it.

However if removed the joists would run from the front to rear of the house, which to me seems a long way. This is on 50% of the house - the other side the joists run across the lounge.

Untitled

• isdoo
• 4 Feb 2013
• 1

Is there any way to tell for sure? This picture is taken beneath the floorboards

How do I go about finding a structural engineer in Kent - is there an easy way, like with other trades (third party site?) or simply a case of using the yellow pages or other directories?

Thanks.

 

[RonnyRaygun]

http://www.findanengineer.com
Or tell us the size and span of the joists and we might be able to tell you if they will span the full distance.

 

[^woody^]

Jeeeezus! If a builder can't tell you if a wall is load bearing while it's there in front of them, then I'd not let them loose on any building work

 

[isdoo]

They think it is not, however....

The span would be 17' 7" and the joists are 7" x 2" - this would go from the front wall to the rear wall.

I am not sure if that is allowed?

Thanks.

 

[RonnyRaygun]

They think it is not, however....

The span would be 17' 7" and the joists are 7" x 2" - this would go from the front wall to the rear wall.

I am not sure if that is allowed?

Thanks.

You won't span 17' 7" with 7x2s.
So the wall is load bearing, and if you want to remove it you are going to require a beam to resupport the joists.

 

[isdoo]

Thanks - the joists currently run from front to rear.

I will get a structural engineer in to draw up the beam for the builders etc.

 

[tony1851]

The span would be 17' 7" and the joists are 7" x 2" - this would go from the front wall to the rear wall.

I am not sure if that is allowed?

Thanks.

It could be allowed, if you don't mind your ceiling downstairs looking like a banana, and the bedroom floor acting like a trampoline every time you walk on it. (or do anything else in the bedroom?)

 

[^woody^]

Doesn't that image actually show the joist resting on the top of the wall