knocking through a wall - rsj required or not?

[chrisj73]

hi all,
I am looking to knock through a wall in my kitchen to open it up into my back living room, now the wall in question is only 1 brick thick, I know this as I drilled through it and was surprised it went through so quick..anyway, am I right in thinking that cos the wall is only 1 brick thick its not a retaining wall and would also not need an rsj of any kind..?

all advice appreciated

thanks

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Well firstly this sounds like an internal wall so its unlikely to be a retaining wall, we'll assume you mean structural?

To make a hole in any masonry wall brick or block will need a lintel or steel of some description or do you expect Divine Intervention to hold up the masonry above the opening you intend to create? You will need to investigate what if anything is being supported above ceiling level by this wall ie floor joists or another wall or both.

 

[catlad]

Even if you live in a bungalow that wall maybe supporting the roof.

 

[uluru]

We have just removed a single brick supporting wall which was supporting the wall above and the roof and installed an rsj. So single brick can be structural

 

[JasonF]

For you to even have to ask if it needs an rsj tells me you should not attempt a job like this. Brick walls are there for a reason, they hold the house up. Anyway good luck.

 

[Static]

If in any doubt get a structural engineer to look at the wall and clarify if its load bearing.. they can also design/detail any lintel or steel required if nes.