supporting wall or not

scotty1971

i'm thinking of taking a wall down between my kitchen and dining room,i managed to get a look at the floorboards there running the opposite way from the wall,and there is about half too an inch gap at the top of the wall,so as far as i can see there is nothing resting on it,i know not much info to go on but any advice would be welcome,and there is already a rsj three feet away from the wall i am hoping to take down,that's there because the previous owners took down a wall,that runs in the same direction of the wall i want too take down,hope i haven't confused you

scotty1971

anyone able to help?

ormus

if you mean the floorboards upstairs are running the opposite way then you should be ok.
but you must check properly before you start knocking the wall down. either take up some flooring or take down part of the ceiling.
im assuming there is no upstairs wall directly above the wall?

scotty1971

no,there's already an rsj,below the upstairs wall

flea72

so an rsj it already supporting part of the wall above the one you want to take down?

if so, then its a load bearing wall.

From the way you word it, you already have an opening between kitchen/dining room, but you want to make this opening go across the full width of the room, so its open plan?

first point of call, get someone in who knows what they are doing - not necessarily a structural engineer, but at least a builder who knows their salt

Flea

scotty1971

no,there was a wall about 3ft away from the one i want too take down,there is an rsj where that one was which supports the wall above,

flea72

3ft away in which direction and relation?

its just too hard to work out from how you describe it - best to call in the experts - no-one can surmise, they need to see it

Flea

scotty1971

============ kitchen wall (supporting wall

---

wall that's been removed (has rsj beam

+++++++++++ wall i want too remove


=========== dining room wall (supporting wall)
don't know if this helps or makes sense

olias

Do not knock down a wall based on what someone may tell you on a forum if you are unsure. You have asked for advice and the advice is to get in an experienced builder or structural engineer to confirm it is safe to do so. I know it is an extra cost, but not half as expensive as rebuilding half your house if it collapses!

Olias

baldelectrician

Give the local council building standards a call.

Someone there will be able to help, or point you in the direction of someone who can

Rememer if it is a supporting wall you will require building warrant permission (Scotland only).

Call the council for advice- they don't generally bite