We're about to move into our new house soon. Went there today to check things out and asked the seller if he knew whether a wall in the garage (located under the extended living room) is load-bearing. He didn't know.
The wall is built from concrete blocks, probably lightweight concrete. All other walls, the ceiling, and the floor are made of concrete. The entire ceiling in this room has transverse beams, probably reinforced concrete beams dim. 3"X8", spaced about 1 meter apart. The room's dimensions are 12*4.5m.
What do you think? The wall I want to tear down has served as a partition for 1 car, while the remaining part of the room has been used as a woodworking shop. I want to open it up completely to work on the car.
Is it time to call in a structural engineer?
The wall is built from concrete blocks, probably lightweight concrete. All other walls, the ceiling, and the floor are made of concrete. The entire ceiling in this room has transverse beams, probably reinforced concrete beams dim. 3"X8", spaced about 1 meter apart. The room's dimensions are 12*4.5m.
What do you think? The wall I want to tear down has served as a partition for 1 car, while the remaining part of the room has been used as a woodworking shop. I want to open it up completely to work on the car.
Is it time to call in a structural engineer?
Hello!
I'm not quite sure what load the extended living room adds to the beams. But if this load is evenly distributed over the entire basement (garage + woodworking room) and not just where the partition wall is located, then the other beams should also have sufficient load-bearing capacity. The wall in question only shortens the span for the beams above by a few meters(?) and therefore should not be load-bearing.
If you're worried about the load-bearing capacity, first and foremost contact the previous owners and see which came first: the partition walls on the lower floor or the extension of the living room. Perhaps there's a structural drawing?
I'm not quite sure what load the extended living room adds to the beams. But if this load is evenly distributed over the entire basement (garage + woodworking room) and not just where the partition wall is located, then the other beams should also have sufficient load-bearing capacity. The wall in question only shortens the span for the beams above by a few meters(?) and therefore should not be load-bearing.
If you're worried about the load-bearing capacity, first and foremost contact the previous owners and see which came first: the partition walls on the lower floor or the extension of the living room. Perhaps there's a structural drawing?
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Thanks for the reply Skogiz!
I believe everything was built simultaneously, this entire section is an extension. My guess is that it's not a load-bearing construction because, as you mentioned, there are beams that relieve the entire roof. This partition wall feels more like a construction for dividing the space, and since it's a damp basement, they chose concrete blocks instead of plaster/wood.
Moving in soon. Talked to the current owner and they mention that there are all sorts of drawings there, I'll take a look at them first.
I believe everything was built simultaneously, this entire section is an extension. My guess is that it's not a load-bearing construction because, as you mentioned, there are beams that relieve the entire roof. This partition wall feels more like a construction for dividing the space, and since it's a damp basement, they chose concrete blocks instead of plaster/wood.
Moving in soon. Talked to the current owner and they mention that there are all sorts of drawings there, I'll take a look at them first.