In a 1910 end terrace I have recently found out that a party wall is only 1 brick thick between next door, the end terrace wall is the same with a new outside wall being built in the 60/70s. The problem is the 2 walls are supporting a wooden beam 4m long that is supporting a single brick wall above it. The problem is the bricks under were the beam hangs have cracked around 2 courses down along the mortar line. There was a 70s style glass doors and window/wall partition to separate the 2 rooms about 1 meter back from the beam when this was torn down I found scrunched up papers from 1973 making me think the beam was put in and a wall torn down around the same time.
My questions are
1: Am i right in thinking that a 4m wooden beam should be supported better than by a single brick wall on both ends ? if so how would I add extra support to the beam ? both single walls looks to be built on a soldier course of bricks with concrete then screed on the floor (I was told this was a normal way of spreading the weight of a 1910s wall).
2: if this beam has hung from these 2 walls wall since the 70s (at least by decoration of house) with no sag on the beam does it need replaced with an rsj ?
Any help would be great.
Thanks
My questions are
1: Am i right in thinking that a 4m wooden beam should be supported better than by a single brick wall on both ends ? if so how would I add extra support to the beam ? both single walls looks to be built on a soldier course of bricks with concrete then screed on the floor (I was told this was a normal way of spreading the weight of a 1910s wall).
2: if this beam has hung from these 2 walls wall since the 70s (at least by decoration of house) with no sag on the beam does it need replaced with an rsj ?
Any help would be great.
Thanks
