Crack appeared after removing internal load bearing wall

[spinalwiz]

Hi,

Our builder has just open-planned a kitchen/diner for us by removing an internal load-bearing wall. Almost immediately afterwards a sizeable crack appeared in the wall in the room above (about 1.5m long amd 5mm wide in the mortar between bricks).

We are confident he has followed building regulations.

It would seem to us that if he had 'correctly' supported the wall above before removing the brickwork downstairs then this shouldn't have happened. That said, if its just due to the upstairs wall settling onto the new steel lintel then it probably shouldn't be anything to worry about? Just a one-off movement perhaps.

Is this fairly common behaviour? Would appreciate any advice.

 

[hotrod]

It sounds as though something isn't / hasn't been supported properly. Although it's impossible to say without further details. A crack that size is not "normal" behaviour. Pictures would help posters to offer further advice and comment further.

hth

 

[ColJack]

how did he support the upstairs wall while removing the one below it?

acro props either side through the floor and needles through the wall, or just acro props with the little platforms on them?

 

[spinalwiz]

Hi,

He used 4 acro props (2 each side) with timber needles. The room is 3.1m wide and the opening is about 2.6m wide. However, I didn't pay close enough attention to his technique to be able to describe how he used the needles

Will take some photos today

 

[spinalwiz]

That said - I did notice that the needles came out the same day that the steel went in which I thought was a little unusual. The mortar was definitely still wet at the time.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

were the acros also set up on a strong supporting floor.
and how long were the props in place after the RSJ was fitted?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

were the acros also set up on a strong supporting floor.
and how long were the props in place after the RSJ was fitted?

You've just answered one of my questions, that would have given any mortar joint no time to set, and the force of the downward weight, could well be responsible for your problem.
Unless at that time the RSJ had been propped from underneath.
Should have been left in place in good dying conditions two or three days longer.

 

[Static]

Sounds like quite a serious crack..

Firstly have you done a building regs submission?

Have you told the designer of the steel whats happened?


Props should never be removed straight after the beam was put in, would normally be a few days maybe a week or so depending on the wall and support configuration..
Not a big fan of timber needles either they deflect alot which can cause cracking..
Lastly the beam may well be undersized if not designed correctly and may have deflected..

Might be a good time to check on the builders insurance..

 

[noseall]

Have you thought about shoving the acros back under the beam and winding it up with a bit of leverage on the winding pin?

Any gaps beneath the beam could be taken up with slate.

This is probably going to be a long shot as you will be lifting the entire width of masonry wholesale.

We use scaffold tubes as needles and ensure there is moderate pressure on the bars when jacking. our scaffolder even supplies us with special scaffold clips to secure the tubes to the acro jacking plate.

 

[theoldun]

Wiz, You could have a go at what noseall has said, but once again, it’s a long shot, and if you do get it up couple of mm, you are going to have to knock out and make good bed joints tween pads and steel, that is if you have got pads.
It would have been nice to know whether the 5mm part of the crack was top or bottom, would have given some indication of where settlement occurred.
You say that builder used needles, so there must be some brickwork or block work on top of beam and underside of ceiling. If so crack should have continued down this walling as well.
5mm is just starting to get naughty, but I don’t think she will go any more. If she does then you have problems.
old un

 

[hotrod]

Will take some photos today

Let's have a gander

 

[noseall]

Let's have a gander

 

[Richard C]

Let's have a gander

He's a very handsome chap; strutting his stuff too by the look of it

 

[noseall]

What is that other little duck doing walking on his back?

 

[theoldun]

Let's have a gander

Carefull what you say Hotrod, Laurel and Hardy are in town.