HELP! Break out bricks from a load-bearing wall.

[callumpetrie]

Hello!

After 6 months of total renovation and daily visits to Byggahus (received a lot of help from old threads!), I need some urgent help from you experienced home builders.

I'm renovating the kitchen in a 1920s apartment, where the stove will now be a meter from the opening to the chimney flue. To avoid building an unsightly duct between the fan and the old opening, my carpenter suggested that I remove two rows of bricks so that I can create a channel to run a ventilation pipe and then plaster over it. It is a solid brick wall with a neighbor on the other side, probably load-bearing, but since it's only about a meter, the carpenter claims it won't affect the stability.

Involving the board, structural engineers, etc., is out of the question as I don't have the time/money/energy for a lot of hassle, but I just wanted to hear if any of you have any opinions on the project before I start.

Thanks!!

 

[silversmeden]

I have done something similar but drilled a hole about 30 X 30 cm in the foundation wall to get my duct in, it was a hell of a job but went well, but drilled the hole where there is a door above (on the lower floor). As I said, I am not a structural engineer, but in a brick wall, I think there are not any major problems, but the bigger the hole you make, the more you weaken the stability, of course.

 

[callumpetrie]

Thank you silversmeden! Here, the hole is a bit longer and affects a long row of bricks above, but perhaps the load above carries off to the sides?!

 

[Helioz]

You can also level off in a relatively simple way by milling away the top joint over the hole and in 25 cm on each side and inlaying an angle iron or flat iron.

 

[Raceman]

You live in a Brf, right?
You MUST NOT make alterations to load-bearing structures without first talking to the board and hearing what they have to say. If you do it anyway, you may lose your apartment.

 

[snickarboden]

Agree, in a housing cooperative it's downright foolish to even consider affecting load-bearing parts without having everything fully approved from all sides. The same goes for wet rooms there, you don't want to have issues like the ones that can occur.

/Kent

 

[callumpetrie]

Thank you for your feedback, and I know that I should seek permission from the Board. In principle, I agree with you, but the process would become so involved if I went "by the book" that I'd rather forgo the entire project in that case.

Raceman and snickarboden, do you have any thoughts on the structural integrity question? Does anyone know how old brick buildings are constructed? The wall is indeed made of brick, but I don't think it's one of the critical load-bearing structures since it runs between the exterior wall and the heart wall, which presumably has greater significance.

 

[snickarboden]

Then there should hardly be any major problems, but to avoid potential issues, you should check with the board and a structural engineer.
Much simpler with villas, I would say, and therefore what I prefer to work with.

/Kent

 

[zsimpey]

what if all the neighbors in the house think like you?

 

[Raceman]

Thank you for your opinions, and I know that I should seek permission from the Board. In principle, I agree with you, but the process would become so large if I went "by the book"

How do you know that? Asking the board and getting a yes or no costs nothing and goes relatively quickly.

Raceman and snickarboden, do you have any opinions on the actual strength issue? Does anyone have knowledge of how old brick houses are constructed? The wall is indeed made of brick, but I don't think it constitutes one of the critical supporting structures since it runs between the outer wall and the core wall, which presumably has greater significance.

It's pretty much impossible to answer without knowing what the rest of the house looks like, but old brick houses for multiple families are usually constructed like several HHHHH with the core wall in the middle. All apartments, back in the day, had tiled stoves in each room, and some of the load-bearing thick walls that run 90 degrees to the core wall likely contain smoke and vent channels. (didn't your own channel go in this wall? If so, your neighbors' channels go there too)

This is the primary reason why you should first talk to the board, which has the house plans and is aware of this.

 

[Glufsglufs]

It can be frustrating not to have spoken with the board and then break other apartments' ventilation. The same question may have arisen from someone else but was rejected after investigation because the walls are not strong enough. What if those living above/below get the same idea and don't bother to talk to the board and the wall weakens so much that it cracks/settles. Anyway, if you create a problem that affects the construction, it can become painfully expensive.
It's not about talking to the board just for the sake of it "by the book" but to check if it's at all feasible to tackle a load-bearing wall.