Joining an RSJ.

[pete01]

The Mrs wants the wall in the photo removed, theres already an RSJ where the red line is but not sure if its in one or two separate sections......im.gonma make a hole and check tomorrow.

If it is in two pieces can it be joined or would it need to be removed and a new one put in?

 

[pete01]

I had a builder out and he said he would need to go through the ceiling into the bedroom and through the flat roof to get the props in?

Or I suggested leaving the old steels in and putting a new one underneath them, they would obviously be on show and we wouldn't end up with a flat ceiling.

But that would save messing with upstairs and damaging the flat roof?

 

[StephenStephen]

Are you planning to keep a central column, or remove the wall completely?

 

[pete01]

Are you planning to keep a central column, or remove the wall completely?

Remove the central column

 

[StephenStephen]

My amateur thought is that it depends if the central wall is loadbearing.
If it is, then the steel(s) above would have been specced to only span halfway, so wouldn't be beefy enough to go all the way across.
It also depends on what load that wall is carrying from the room(s) above.

 

[pete01]

My amateur thought is that it depends if the central wall is loadbearing.
If it is, then the steel(s) above would have been specced to only span halfway, so wouldn't be beefy enough to go all the way across.
It also depends on what load that wall is carrying from the room(s) above.

Its definitely load bearing its the old back of the house, past the red line is an extension....done before we lived here.

(Not the wall its a flat roof above that, the column is the problem)

 

[^woody^]

You need the advice of a structural engineer for the beam options. He will need to know what is there currently in terms of section size and bearings, and this will mean removing parts of the wall and ceiling to allow for inspection.

There may be options to prop from internal only without disturbing the roof.

Remember that you can put up with a bit of disturbance for a few weeks or put up with some poxy low beams for the rest of your life. How easy it is for a builder should not be your concern unless he's coming for tea every single night

 

[pete01]

There may be options to prop from internal only without disturbing the roof.

Hopefully that's the case.

How easy it is for a builder should not be your concern unless he's coming for tea every single night

No but it will cost more if its more work obviously so it is my concern.

 

[pete01]

You need the advice of a structural engineer for the beam options. He will need to know what is there currently in terms of section size and bearings, and this will mean removing parts of the wall and ceiling to allow for inspection.

Yes of course, if by luck the RSJs are big enough could they be joined or not?

 

[^woody^]

No but it will cost more if its more work obviously so it is my concern.

Yes, but you will get that money back in the near future. You wont ever get a flat ceiling back. Ever.

That's the cost you should be considering

 

[pete01]

Yes, but you will get that money back in the near future. You wont ever get a flat ceiling back. Ever.

That's the cost you should be considering

Thats true, not sure how I'll get my money back mind.

 

[^woody^]

Yes of course, if by luck the RSJs are big enough could they be joined or not?

Beams can be joined in principle. But the situation on site is everything, and the only way to know is for someone experienced to look at it.

Two beams that individually support half the length of a wall, may not collectively support the whole length.

 

[^woody^]

Thats true, not sure how I'll get my money back mind.

A job?

 

[pete01]

A job?

Yes I'll have money but not the money I spend.

 

[stevie888]

The chances of the beam being continuous is small but the chances of it being man enough to then span double the distance is infinitesimal.

If the span doubles the beam stiffness needs to increase by a factor of 16 to carry the same loads.

Personally I wonder why peeps get so vexed about flat ceilings: it's rare they are truly level anyway and you will have piers at the sides supporting the beam and buttressing the sidewalls so why not the full box? Tgyhe bUilder is making a sensible suggestion

You have the option more money and potential damage or the pesky beam: only SWMBO can make the call for you.