Missing RSJ?

[ChellEmpire]

We have had an offer accepted on a 1950s house. Looking at the photos I've just realised the 21 ft 3" x 9 ft 7" through lounge has perfectly smooth walls and ceiling. Bedrooms above seem to be 3" separation on house dimensions so may be a stud wall. House is at other end of the UK so i can't just pop over to check! We are having a homebuyers survey done but I'm having a quick panic here!

 

[^woody^]

Perhaps it was a good builder? Its not unheard of.

BTW, your Homebuyer surveyor wont look at this other than to say to check with the council for a building regs.

 

[Ian H]

I did mine like that, 203mm steel in the ceiling.

Easiest way to check would be to lift a floor board above.

 

[Doggit]

Stud finder set on metal detection might be easier, but it'll be safer for you if they lift a floorboard, and send you a picture. I had a House with a through lounge with what looked like an RSJ holding up the middle of the room, and it turned out that they'd just removed the footer from the lathe and plaster wall, taken out the wooden uprights, and left the header supporting the floor above. I didn't have time to get building control in, so went down the local steel supplier, got one of the labourers to knock a hole in the side walls, to then swung the beam in place. What I didn't realise, is the labourer had a couple of cans of white lightning while I was out, and almost went through the wall into the neighbours house.