Need Advise;
Can anyone advise me if a (25 foot long bearing wall) can be completely removed on the second floor of a three story house and be replaced with one long or two shorter I beams resting on several steel support columns to the floor? Then enclose the beam and columns with drywall around them, its a 10 foot high ceiling.
And if so, how far apart should the columns be put?
This is a single old house with a basement, 1st floor and 2nd floor, then roof.
I have removed portions of bearing walls in the past to install doorways, but never an entire wall the length of the entire house.
The basement has one long steel I beam and steel column posts right under the second bearing wall that to be removed, so thats why I’m thinging this method should work.
Thank You Alll In Advance
Bob Austera, Commercial Contractor
Toll Free: (877) 265-9777
http://www.hometown.aol.com/raaustera/myhomepage/business.html
Replies
Bob,
If you could get your hands on a W 16x128 beam , I am sure it would carry the load of a 25' opening with a floor & roof above,. I would first make sure you got enough Meat @ the Bearing points to carry the load of a 3200 lb beam. Then there is the point load going all the way down to the foundation. What type of foundation ?
Best to skip on something like this, unless you have done it before!
As an Ex-Boss once told me, " Made more money by saying NO! Then Yes!"
This is the 3rd time that you have posted the same question.