Acceptable RSJ level

[jayoba]

Hey all!

I am currently having a builder remove a load bearing wall and fitting an RSJ in place. However the RSJ they have put in is not level. Measuring from floor to RSJ, it is off by 5cm from left to right for a span of 3.5m.

Is this acceptable? They have also not fixed this as part of the plasterboarding so now we have a wonky beam going through the ceiling.

Please can you advise.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[jj4091]

How do you know it is the RSJ that is not level rather than your floor that you are measuring from. Or are you using a level with a built in measuring device. 50mm does seem rather excessive if it is as you say.

 

[noseall]

Hey all!

I am currently having a builder remove a load bearing wall and fitting an RSJ in place. However the RSJ they have put in is not level. Measuring from floor to RSJ, it is off by 5cm from left to right for a span of 3.5m.

As said - have you had a level on the beam?

We strive to get all our beams level, but it's not always possible when say you are slotting a beam into existing brickwork for example. When we offer a beam up to floor joists, and there are discrepancies, we try and jig the beam level then pack those joists that need a lift or even remove a slither off those that are fouling.

 

[23vc]

And it could always be boxed in level, even if the beam isn’t bang on …

 

[Deluks]

So is it already plasterboarded over? Are all the props taken down?

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

5mm... Hmmm ok I suppose

5CM... Bloody hell

But yes, measuring with respect to the floor tells you nothing.

 

[jayoba]

Floor and ceiling is level, we stuck a 6ft spirit level on it. And yes, already plasterboarded over and props taken down.

Sticking a 6ft spirit level on the plasterboard RSJ however is not level.

I can accept that the RSJ is off a bit due to issues with knocking out old brick work but I would expect them to pack out the plasterboard right?

They have arranged for plasters to come Monday so if this is an issue, we would have to raise this today with them so just wanted to know if 5cm is acceptable in the building world. I hope not as it does look noticeable

 

[phatboy]

If it looks wrong, it is wrong.

They need to re-board it.

 

[jayoba]

Thanks all! Glad I’m not overreacting! Spoke to the builder and they’re coming back today to fix it.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[noseall]

so just wanted to know if 5cm is acceptable in the building world.

If it's avoidable - no. Even then you'd strive to make the beam level regardless.

We had a job recently, whereby the composite beam over some bi-fold doors we had made i.e. plate welded beneath, decided to bow upwards, due to the welder not tacking and doing opposing end welds etc. We ended up having to cut the first course bricks over the beam into a very delicate ' L' shape, so that they masked the bow in the beam. It was a ball ache but do-able....

bow beam1.jpg

• noseall
• 24 Jan 2025

bow beam2.jpg

• noseall
• 24 Jan 2025

 

[Murdochcat]

Thanks all! Glad I’m not overreacting! Spoke to the builder and they’re coming back today to fix it.

Thank you for the advice!

Has the building inspector visited you since it was put in?

 

[jayoba]

Yeah! He visited and didn’t say much about the beam. Although it was the building control inspector that our builders recommended us to use. He was more concerned with our fire regulations than the RSJ work.

 

[jayoba]

If it's avoidable - no. Even then you'd strive to make the beam level regardless.

We had a job recently, whereby the composite beam over some bi-fold doors we had made i.e. plate welded beneath, decided to bow upwards, due to the welder not tacking and doing opposing end welds etc. We ended up having to cut the first course bricks over the beam into a very delicate ' L' shape, so that they masked the bow in the beam. It was a ball ache but do-able....

bow beam1.jpg

• noseall
• 24 Jan 2025

bow beam2.jpg

• noseall
• 24 Jan 2025

wow that looks amazing! You can’t even notice the bow at all (to my untrained eye!)

The builders came back today and fixed the wonkiness by packing out the stud before plasterboarding. This is what it looks like before and after!

 

[23vc]

Dab adhesive covers a multitude of sins…at least they sorted it quick