Hi,
I have a built in cupboard in our bathroom, and we want to fit our washing machine into it. The washing machine will fit comfortably inside, but the doorway is slightly too narrow to get the machine in. I have taken off the doorframe but still need to widen by about 4cm.
Having taken out the frame I can see that the wall is constructed out of breeze blocks, which are 9 inches high by 2 inches thick (can't tell how wide they are). The doorframe was made out of timber that was 3 inches square (which seemed very thick to me, although the property is almost 100 years old, so maybe they just over-engineered back then).
I think it's highly unlikely that the wall is load bearing, given the thickness of the blocks (some of the other walls are 11 inches thick), but do I need to get a structural engineer / building inspector etc. to take look before i just remove some more bricks? The property is a third floor flat in a 6 storey block, I have no idea what direction the floor supports are running in (how would I check?).
Also, will I need to fit a lintel once I've widened the doorway? there are only 3 inches of brickwork above the doorway.
I have a built in cupboard in our bathroom, and we want to fit our washing machine into it. The washing machine will fit comfortably inside, but the doorway is slightly too narrow to get the machine in. I have taken off the doorframe but still need to widen by about 4cm.
Having taken out the frame I can see that the wall is constructed out of breeze blocks, which are 9 inches high by 2 inches thick (can't tell how wide they are). The doorframe was made out of timber that was 3 inches square (which seemed very thick to me, although the property is almost 100 years old, so maybe they just over-engineered back then).
I think it's highly unlikely that the wall is load bearing, given the thickness of the blocks (some of the other walls are 11 inches thick), but do I need to get a structural engineer / building inspector etc. to take look before i just remove some more bricks? The property is a third floor flat in a 6 storey block, I have no idea what direction the floor supports are running in (how would I check?).
Also, will I need to fit a lintel once I've widened the doorway? there are only 3 inches of brickwork above the doorway.