Questions tagged [structural]
Questions about the structure of a building (i.e. moving, adding or repairing walls).
77
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
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75 views
What is the right way to plumb bathroom drainage across small joists?
Finished the demo part of the bathroom remodel to find pretty significant damage to the floor joists caused by the original builder's "design" (see photos/video). Setting aside how I'm going ...
2
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0answers
142 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
0answers
107 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
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0answers
4k 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 ...
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0answers
19 views
Replacement supports, removing old partial walls
My old kitchen used to be divided into two rooms with a wall separating the rooms.
At some point, most of wall was removed, however, they kept some portions extending out.
east wall - extension comes ...
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0answers
98 views
What size LVL beam to replace 17 foot load bearing wall (marriage wall) on first floor of two story colonial modular home
We are currently in the process of opening up the space between the living room and family room on the first floor. The house is a 2 story, 2600 square foot colonial modular house.
The wall we would ...
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0answers
53 views
Can I replace two 2x4 jack studs with a steel bracket attached to side of adjacent 6x6 king stud?
As part of my kitchen remodel, I want to move my refrigerator into a closet. In order for the refrigerator to fit width-wise, I need to remove two jack studs on one side of the closet that are ...
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0answers
25 views
Can I make hole above a lintel for a flue
I'm doing some work on a flat and want to move the boiler higher up than it is. That means putting a flue above the window. The problem is I'm the second to top floor flat. As you can see from the ...
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0answers
220 views
Can I drill through the bottom plate of this first floor into the basement?
I have a 1905 balloon-framed house in western Washington. I would like to run wiring down the front exterior wall into the basement. I've tried looking up designs for this architectural style but it's ...
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0answers
31 views
concrete blocks
can you use the large interlocking concrete blocks(1600mmx800mmx800mm) to build a house? Would you use extra cement or would you it be safe and strong with the right structure to withstand hurricanes? ...
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3answers
89 views
Is it possible to cut a larger opening in this window / serving hatch of this pool house?
I'm curious if it is possible to cut a taller opening in this pool house or if that would create structural issues supporting the roof
From the inside you can see I would remove the 3 stubby studs ...
1
vote
3answers
122 views
How to attach single step for deck where deck rim joist is not low enough to overlap step rim board
Similar to this question. I am trying to attach a single step to a deck located adjacent to a patio, a setup which looks like this:
I'm trying to figure out how to secure the step effectively. Here ...
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0answers
26 views
12 x 16 two story Cottage lifting
How do I lift this with three beams? I would like to put in 8 inch round pilings at the end of the beams and lift it on top of those. What can I use as beams? What size? Steel or wood? What about ...
1
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0answers
182 views
Can a header be continuous across the whole wall if it is above the top plate?
I have seen that continuous headers can be problematic due to lateral forces. However, in my situation the "header" is actually a 4x6 purlin which is above the top plate.
The original purpose of the ...
1
vote
1answer
280 views
Is a soundproof stud wall made of 38 x 63mm CLS strong enough?
I'm building two stud walls joining at a right angle to create a small room in the corner of a larger room. The timber I'm using is 63x38mm (2 1/2" by 1 1/2" - actual measurement) CLS. One wall is 2.4 ...
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0answers
27 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 ...
1
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0answers
205 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
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0answers
128 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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0answers
1k 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
397 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
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0answers
177 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
195 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 ...
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0answers
79 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
120 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
273 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 ...
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 ...
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0answers
926 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
649 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
493 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 ...
1
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3answers
92 views
What to use for 16ft span, max 1500 lbs
Greatly appreciate if anyone out there would have an idea what to use to support a lift in the center of a 16 ft span, and have a 1500 lbs max load?
Thinking of maybe three stacked 2x8x16s??
1
vote
1answer
118 views
Can I drill diagonally through the top of my beam?
Remodeling our kitchen (and putting it on YouTube so want to make sure I'm right). I need to run 2 new circuits in our kitchen on a half wall so I can't run them down. Basement is open but the bottom ...
0
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0answers
28 views
Installing Ladder in Historic Brick Garage
Just bought an old home with a detached 1905 brick garage w/ loft. Currently, the only way to access the space is by pulling out a ladder and climbing through a 16" opening at the end. I'd like ...
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0answers
23 views
Sizing a beam for small cabin
I'm in the planning stage of a cabin with a ~16'x16' footprint and I'm spec'ing out some of the structural elements. Looking for some second opinions or thoughts.
It's going to be a single-story with ...
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0answers
33 views
Lawn Shed Over Asphalt, BUT Using 4x4 Foundational Posts Buried With Concrete To Secure To Ground
I have REALLY old asphalt along the side of the house, like 30+ years old. It doesn't appear to have any sinking or cracking and has held up better than 15+ year old asphalt my dad had poured ...
0
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0answers
22 views
TV mount in plaster wall with no studs
Is it possible to mount a 65in tv on a 1.5in thick plaster wall over a fireplace? there are no studs, and about a 3in air space before its solid again. probably insde brick chimney wall. i never use ...
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0answers
24 views
Steel I-beam, Steel post, framing question
My basement was a coverup job. I won't go into what all was wrong with it, Long story short, we are fixing it all little by little. I'm trying to add a entertainment room. I've had the waterproofing ...
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0answers
21 views
Cracked Ceiling Joist
I am installing new cabinets, and when I removed the kitchen soffit, I saw one joist with a horizontal crack that goes all the way through the joist and travels about 8 inches down the length from the ...
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0answers
58 views
Installing new basement post to support first floor post
I am opening a first floor load bearing wall 15 feet wide . This wall sits one foot off from the basement center steel beam, with 2x10 joists 16" on center.
The engineer has specified the first ...
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0answers
32 views
Filling first concrete floor with Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) brick to 3 feet height is good?
First concrete floor is with 500 sq.ft. area. Out of this, 200 sq.ft. is in projected form for about 3 feet height. So, we are planning to fill in with AAC blocks up to 3 feet height for the rest of ...
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0answers
32 views
What’s the ideal overhang for a 26’ LVL beam?
We just installed 3 LVLs (3) x 1 3/4x 24” x 25’ . Can someone recommend the ideal overhang on the posts for a beam this long? The engineer recommended 8’’ hang on the post on each side, but my ...
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0answers
28 views
Is lag bolting ledger board into foundation safe for overhead storage?
I'm planning a project for an unfinished room in the basement and I have an important structural question. There's about 15' of vertical space but I want to build 10' ceilings with access to overhead ...
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0answers
117 views
Best way to fill large (3") vertical crack in solid brick party wall?
I live in an East Coast row-house built in the early 1920s. There is a 3" crack in the solid brick party wall that I need to address (see photos). My neighbor's baby's room is on the other side ...
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0answers
24 views
Reflooring a horse trailer
What kind of treated wood thats is 1 1/2" thick x 6" or 12" wide will support roughly 300lbs per hoof.
0
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1answer
81 views
Steel stair stringer size
trying to design a straight stair run using steel tubes as stringers.
total run = 10'-0". total rise is 8'-8", width 3'-0".
Support is only at each end.
yes these are steeper than ...
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0answers
32 views
Sizing wide flange I-Beam for 20" span
I am doing a barn renovation project (pacific NW, 98922), and need to take out a large load bearing wall and replace it with a beam. Was going to use an LVL (which I sized at about 5.5 x 18") ...
0
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0answers
42 views
Is this brick knee wall tied in to the main wall?
We would like to remove the L-shaped brick "knee wall" in the picture on the left. The picture on the right shows the seam between the knee wall and the main wall of the house. Is the knee ...
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0answers
63 views
Steps to repair rotten 2 story wall
So I have a porch that has significant rot due to a leaky skylight. This had been fixed with a new roof.
I found significant rot in the wall. This wall is load bearing and is supporting the roof. The ...
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0answers
28 views
suspending a 36x26 solar panel on a single 4x4x12 post (9' above ground 3 feet into the ground)?
I'd like to suspend a 36x26x1 aluminum solar panel 9 feet above ground on a SINGLE 12' 4x4 timber with some 2x4s at the top. I'm in central Florida.
Will it be too top heavy? wind issues?
it's a ...
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0answers
20 views
How to construct posts on 15' tall dock
I am working on designing a 2 story dock that will house my boat and have a deck on top.
I was planning on constructing the dock using concrete pillars and 6x6's.
My original plan was 12" wide ...
