Is this safe?

Pnd123 · 23 Jan 2021

Hi.
We have just had an existing load bearing wall opening made wider.
Im not a builder but the lintel looks too short and also the wall underneath looks inadequate for the load.
We have had some movement in the upstairs floors.
Please advice needed.
Thanks

23vc · 23 Jan 2021

Should be further across on the bottom pic so it’s got a longer bearing on that rough looking pier, meaning a longer steel imho

^woody^ · 23 Jan 2021

Don't let them cover it up before the building inspector comes out, then ask him.

Bearings may be OK it depends on the engineer's calculations.

Pnd123 · 23 Jan 2021

They covered it yesterday while i was at work,
Before the inspection has been done. Something isnt right here.
Thanks for any replies

JBR · 23 Jan 2021

You can still show him the pictures.

johnny2007 · 23 Jan 2021

2nd picture looks dodgy.

oldbutnotdead · 24 Jan 2021

Did they prop the ceilings before knocking the old lintel out? As @woody, with an RSJ like that you should have some calculations, the usual bearing is 150mm which i think you may be a bit shy of.
Are Building Control actually definitely involved (ie have you personally put a building notice or full plans in and paid the fee)? Or has the builder said (but not in writing) he'll look after it?

Pnd123 · 24 Jan 2021

It all looks dodgy.
Unfortunately i could only take one day off work, where as they worked for less than 2 hours stripping plaster off and left me with loads of thick dust throughout the house to clean up.(alarm bells were already ringing at this point).
Day 2 and 3 they were left unattended.
I have no idea how the lintel was done ie: props etc.
The floors upstairs around the wall area have dropped, floorboards are now loose, one door wont latch properly the other door used to catch on the carpet, now has a gap under it.
Building inspector is supposed to be coming out monday morning.the builder took £270 off me for that.
Should i have some paperwork for the rsj calc and inspector visit?
I hope this makes sense to read.
Thanks to all of you for the replies.

23vc · 24 Jan 2021

£270?! Pic of the finished job?
Calcs should have been done beforehand so you knew what size beam and padstones you needed. That’s as much your responsibility as the builder but the builder should have asked you for it when quoting. Although building control may accept it if it’s a standard size that they will allow for standard loadings etc

Pnd123 · 24 Jan 2021

270 was for the building notice.
The builder got the calcs done for the rsj and padstones.
Job isnt finished yet, supposed to be tomorrow. Which isnt going to happen now

Harry Bloomfield · 24 Jan 2021

Pnd123 said:
Building inspector is supposed to be coming out monday morning.the builder took £270 off me for that.

You need to be there to meet with the inspector, to express your concerns about the support of the RSJ and the movement upstairs. It seems as if they have removed the wall with no support at all for the upstairs, until the RSJ went into place. That second photo looks totally inadequate.

Pnd123 · 24 Jan 2021

Thanks for the reply.
I will meet him tomorrow " if he turns up".
Would the builder have: confirmation of the calcs and building notice?

^woody^ · 24 Jan 2021

How was the upper wall supported?

I can't see how they could have packed the wall properly, or secured any dropped bricks with the coving in the way.

23vc · 24 Jan 2021

Guess they propped the joists hoping they’d needle the wall, but yeah can’t see how they were able to secure any dropped bricks/blocks

I’d keep an eye on the situation upstairs and work out a way of knowing if it’s getting any worse by marking stuff. Hopefully it was a one off due to cr4p installation of the beam rather than an ongoing issue

and yeah get the calcs off the builder

Pnd123 · 24 Jan 2021

The wall upstairs isnt directly above the removed downstairs wall.
I agree with "how can they secure any dropped debris" its impossible to get access once the rsj is in place

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Is this safe?

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