Questions tagged [structural]
Questions about the structure of a building (i.e. moving, adding or repairing walls).
51
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
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0answers
34 views
Temporary supporting rafters in the middle for beam installation
I am intending to remove a load bearing wall that lies between the old perimeter of the house and the new extension.
It is holding the extremities of the old roof rafters as well as a wall holding ...
2
votes
2answers
331 views
Wood creaking sound (intermittent, but persistent), how to finally put it to rest
So we bought a house built in 1986 last year. Over the past year, I've been able to identify a single (and I do meant SINGLE) knocking sound which generally repeats every 20-60 seconds until I go to ...
2
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0answers
105 views
Will my garage truss and beam configuration be adequate for a room in the attic?
I am getting ready to finish some of the space above the garage and have some questions. I am located in Pittsburgh, PA.
The garage is sloped on both sides down to the floor. I was going to utilize ...
2
votes
2answers
88 views
Do these “rafter ties” tie anything together?
I've been wondering if I can open this ceiling up for a tall room. I've been reading that the ceiling joists are often also rafter ties so I went up there today to take a look. I can see a few are ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views
How to demo a partially structural chimney?
Just bought a new home and would like to remove its chimney. It was originally built on the outside of the home and they built a carport up around it. It looks like it may have sprung a leak, so the ...
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vote
0answers
36 views
What are the requirements for a header for an open passageway through two rooms?
My question is for both load and non-load bearing walls.
There used to be a hinged door between the kitchen and dining room, who knows when it was removed (I've been here a couple years). The door ...
1
vote
0answers
22 views
Should I be concerned with the condition of the bearing end for this lintel?
Having stripped back the wallpaper in our living room in preparation for a re-skim of plaster, we have discovered a door which we didn't know existed, right next to the door into the living room from ...
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0answers
132 views
Can I remove perpendicular ceiling joists in porch
I have porch attached to the exterior wall of the house roof is pitched away from the house:
I am in the process of gutting it and want a vaulted ceiling. There are ceiling joists running ...
1
vote
1answer
245 views
How should I compute the clear span of a purlin in a roofing system?
My house employs purlins to support the roofing rafters. (this video explains almost perfectly what I have in the house). There are two purlins, about 6 feet from each other and the top ridge of the ...
1
vote
1answer
78 views
Need to attach shelving unit to wall; what kind of wall structure is this?
I live in an Australian inner city apartment built in 2007. I want to attach a shelving unit to a wall but haven’t ever done this before, so I want to make sure to do it properly. I’m not sure exactly ...
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0answers
110 views
Retrofit Foundation Posts/Beams
Bought a new (old) place and our inspector pointed out beams/posts that need framing/structural straps in the crawlspace. Ballpark estimate I got from a foundation contractor (site unseen) was a $3,...
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vote
0answers
623 views
Holes through plumbers box (double header in floor joist)
A joist is right where the drain is for the bathtub and I am looking for a solution to do the plumbing. Currently, the plan is to do a 'Plumbers Box' in the floor joists which solves the initial issue....
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0answers
354 views
Sistering 2x8 joists to existing 2x6 under pitched roof
We are going to be remodeling our attic to create 2 extra bedrooms and a living space.
Currently there are only 2x6 joist in the attic. We are being told that we should sister 2x8s against the ...
1
vote
0answers
131 views
Relocating a toilet without weaking floor joists
Can I drill a 4" hole in 2" x 10" floor joists 3' 6" from end of wall? I'm located in Ontario Canada if this is relevant.
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0answers
150 views
Can a PSL beam support second story joists all hanging from it
My home is a 2 story home, built in 2003. There is one section in the home that was left open to above with approximately a 20' ceiling in this case. This is over the living/dining areas of the home ...
1
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0answers
64 views
Concrete slab between stories
Here in the U.S., pretty much all the houses, even those that are made of brick, have framed floors, meaning there are 2 x (usually 10) joists from one side of the house to the other and then OSB ...
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0answers
91 views
What aspects of bricklaying are most important structurally vs aesethically
I've seen homes where the mortar is squeezing out between bricks. This appears pretty sloppy must still be structurally sound. It seems that the pointing of the joints is just an aesthetic choice. ...
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0answers
1k views
DIY Camper, framing advice needed
So my little teardrop trailer plans have changed into a 12'x6' camper so that I can stand in it. I'm in the planning phase still. What I'm doing for the walls is 3 layers; an outer 1/2" board, a ...
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0answers
249 views
Can these metal ceiling drywall joists be removed?
I recently removed the drywall ceiling from my basement with the intention to leave it as an exposed ceiling. Would I be correct in understanding that the metal ceiling joists (highlighted in blue in ...
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0answers
3k views
Do I need a header for an egress window?
I am in the process of finishing a bedroom in my basement. I need to add a window to the room and the selected wall is poured concrete. I need to know if I have to add a header above the window in the ...
1
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0answers
53 views
Calculating Tie Plate loading and double shear
I am considering the use of L strap ties from Strong Tie. I will be connecting two 4x4's in an L-configuration. The image at the very bottom-right corner of the below PDF illustrates exactly the ...
1
vote
0answers
775 views
Minor Crawlspace Excavation: Need permits/structural engineer?
Background:
First house, built in the late 60s, bought in October 2014. Original house has crawlspace with combination cinder/concrete foundation. Master bedroom is an addition to the house with a ...
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0answers
546 views
Information resources for Traditional Japanese Homes
My family and I are preparing to purchase a more or less traditional Japanese home in Hawaii. I am checking up on the claims that it was brought here from Japan and built in 1965. Interior ...
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0answers
431 views
Is this vertical gap in the concrete block foundation something to worry about?
I'm looking at a home that has a vertical gap or crack running the height of the exposed concrete block foundation. The crack is near the center of the home, about a foot to the right of the concrete ...
0
votes
2answers
33 views
Creating deck on top of single story flat roofed home
I have a rectangle home that measures 20' wide by 40' long with a giant chimney in the center that spans down through the kitchen and based in the basement. The chimney has a 3 sided fireplace on one ...
0
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0answers
27 views
TV stand anchored to wood table
I would like to put a TV stand like this on the wood of a closet.
The TV is 20 kg weight. The weight is relatively small, but as the support allows an arm extension up to 50 cm, that means an ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
Flitch plate vs LVL for sistering an engineered beam
here's the quick skinny: I'm looking to reduce the deflection on a 13' beam before doing tile work on the above floor. It's a 5" wide parallam and it's deflecting at least 1/4". it's bearing on triple ...
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0answers
13 views
What type of Aluminum Sections could handle load equivalent to a 11-12 gauge Steel Sections of 2x3 or 3x3 on such frame?
What type of Aluminum Sections could handle load equivalent to a 11-12 gauge Steel Sections of 2x3 or 3x3 on such frame?
If one had to Re-engineer the Vertical Tubes/ Frame using Aluminum. What ...
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0answers
35 views
Is the wall in this blue print able to be removed? (Blueprint in Spanish.)
I am looking at a home to purchase in Queretaro, MX where I have been transferred for five years. There is a two year old home in a great location for the right price but the rooms are really small. ...
0
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0answers
55 views
Hello All, I’m trying to take down the 3 walls - load bearing or not?
This is the attic - and I will post the 3 walls as well- this is 1 story.
0
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0answers
19 views
Adding Collar Ties as Chase in 1930 Tudor
I'm planning out how to insulate and finish my attic without compromising ventilation. I'm zone 7, with a large, entirely floored attic. Roof is hard slate, original to 1930-built home. No current ...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Can you post a 2nd floor joist beam directly to basement?
I have a house with a middle beam in the basement; all of the first floor joists lap on top of the beam. There's a bearing wall on top of the beam that goes 2/3 the length of the house.
Most of the ...
0
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0answers
25 views
Lintel plate support for thick brick wall for window
I need to poke a window in a thick brick wall in a basement carrying the rest of the also brick house above it (2 floors above + roof). The basement wall is 3 bricks thick, each brick 4" wide plus ...
0
votes
1answer
285 views
Removing diagonal truss brace?
Looking to put insulation, plasterboards on the garage ceiling and some down lighters,
Not a massive amount of heavy stuff is currently stored there (primarily boxes etc).
There are 5 joists, joist ...
0
votes
2answers
51 views
Span between wood post for stilt cabin
I intend to build on Weiss Lake in AL. If I use 8x8 posts, can I span 10 ft with 2x10 or should it be 2x12 for the floor joists?
Also was wondering for the foundation can I just sink the wood post or ...
0
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0answers
198 views
6x6 “Landscaping” post for patio cover support?
I am building a patio cover and I need some 6x6 posts to support it. I went to a local lumber yard and asked for some 6x6 treated posts. He had some "landscaping" 6x6 posts and said those should work ...
0
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0answers
57 views
Vibration when lightly hitting one of the walls in an apartment?
I bought an apartment and I'm in the process of renovating it.
One weird thing I noticed in one of the rooms is that when I hit the wall with my fist lightly, the entire wall and maybe even the room ...
0
votes
1answer
255 views
Aluminum vs galvanized vs stainless tubing for fence with railing?
I'm building a simple fence that's composed of 1" or 1.5" OD x 0.065" wall x 4-ft tube soldered to a stainless steel base that's bolted to concrete. This fence will have a wood rail at the top.
...
0
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0answers
179 views
Ok to add basement egress window underneath giant grade-level window?
Our one-story house has a very large window on the first floor -- appx. 72" high by 130" wide. I'd like to add a basement egress window to the room below. I'm worried that having more glass than wall ...
0
votes
0answers
68 views
Are these cracks in a basement support wall normal?
I'm looking at a 1930's-era house that has stone foundation walls. The basement seems to have been dug out and it looks a wall was built to abut the exterior wall. The wall has a plaster or stucco ...
0
votes
2answers
738 views
Structural (cored) bricks for a patio?
I have the opportunity to purchase some pallets of structural bricks, the cored ones with three holes in them. I want to use them to build a patio but I live in Ohio where the winters can get harsh. ...
0
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0answers
35 views
How to Determine the Correct Size of Beam to Support Suspended Planter
I am trying to plan a project that will look like this.
The bottom piece will be secured down and won't be able to move. I'm trying to figure out what size of beam I will need to connect the bottom ...
0
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0answers
70 views
How do I make my floating shelf stronger/less susceptible to vibrations?
I'm building an entertainment center. I plan to put a turntable on the middle shelf in the picture below. There will be a floor standing speaker directly below the shelf. I expect the bass from the ...
0
votes
0answers
63 views
General procedure for replacing load-bearing wall with truss on top
What is a general procedure for replacement of an external load bearing wall wherin the wall is bearing the load of the upstairs floor joists, but also has roof trusts which land directly onto the ...
0
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0answers
156 views
Building an inverted climbing wall onto a tree?
We have a cottonwood tree in our back yard with a treehouse in it, I have one vertical climbing wall on one side, but we're thinking of putting an inverted wall on the other. The tree is one large ...
0
votes
2answers
102 views
Looking for a practical way to find the metal posts locations in finished walls
I am looking for a practical way to find metal posts location in a finished basement walls or finished ground floor walls. I am trying to understand how my house was built. I would like to remove a ...
0
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0answers
638 views
In kitchen reno, can I make the kitchen ceiling same height as rest of dining room?
Check out the picture below -- that bar / pony wall area and the rest of the wall where the thermostat is are being knocked down to open up the kitchen.
Question is, can I make the kitchen ceiling ...
0
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0answers
801 views
Can my garage ceiling handle this much weight?
I am looking to mount a shop light reel and an air hose reel on the ceiling in my garage and am worried that it might be too much weight. Here are the approximate weights:
Light reel: 10 lbs
Air hose ...
0
votes
1answer
521 views
My apartment has a bouncy floor, but it's the only one
While we're waiting for an official inspection, I wanted to get some Internet experts' opinions.
I live in the 3rd-floor apartment of a building with two other units below me, all with virtually the ...
0
votes
2answers
53 views
Room on top of garage vibrates
My 31 year old house is close to a railroad, lived here for 19 years, I felt mild vibration each time train comes by especially at night. A few days ago I had opening of my 2 car garage door fixed, ...
