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I have a two story house with a two story addition that was added on to it. I would like to remove the wall that seperates the original house from the addition to make it in to a open design. The wall is not a bearing wall as the joists and rafter all run parallel to it. But I am a little concerned as this used to be an external wall of the house. Is there anything sacred about such walls or can I just get out the sazall and go to town?
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Steve, even though the joists aren't bearing on the wall, if it is (or was) an exterior wall it's still a bearing wall. It's supporting the wall or roof above it. My code book lists what size beams are needed for such walls. If you just have at it with the sawzall, the house might go to town on you!
Do you have any experience with major structural changes like this? If not, you might want to find someone who can help you....
*It might well be that this wall doesn't keep anything from falling down, but does keep everything from falling sideways, like a cardboard box with both ends open. Such a wall is called a shear wall. You need to have an expert come out and look.-- J.S.
*Before you call in an expert, try to determine what possible loads are on the wall. Three come to my aging mind. 1) The weight of the wall above. This may be carried by the framing in the floor or ceiling. If the house has platform framing this is likely. 2) The weight of a girder in the floor or ceiling framing. This will create a major point load which needs to be supported. This is probably the only situation which could lead to a collapse. 3) Wind load. This is the lateral stress on the structure that is resisted by the shear panel effect of the wall. This shear resistance is usually taken up by exterior walls (unless they have huge amounts of glass) and by the floor membrane. If you don't understand these possibilities, get help.
*Thanks all for your input. I have structural engineering experience but I am looking for some input. Something about this just feels funny.First some more info. My plan (desire) is to take down half of the wall on the bottom floor only. 3/4 of the original exterior wall (all of the 2nd floor and half of the bottom) will still remain so I don't think that there will be a sheer problem. In addition, I have the floor joist of the 2nd floor on the addition tied into the original wall studs.The original house is a modified platform framing as the upstairs studs bear directly on the upper plate of the downstair's wall, not on the subfloor. I am expecting the floor joist of the addition to support the wall. The new floor joist runs tight up against the old upstair's wall studs and have been nailed together. Perhaps I should install lag screws here ?!?There is a girder supporting the upper floor of the old section but this will continue to bear on the remaining wall. I beefed this up with a 4x4 post down to the foundation.Any thoughts???
*steve its not uncommon to place temporary framing on either side of these walls until you are able to visualize what is in those unseen places. once this temporary framing is in place it is safe to proceed with your sawzall. some clear-plastic should also help seal in your new found dust. good-luck.
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I have a two story house with a two story addition that was added on to it. I would like to remove the wall that seperates the original house from the addition to make it in to a open design. The wall is not a bearing wall as the joists and rafter all run parallel to it. But I am a little concerned as this used to be an external wall of the house. Is there anything sacred about such walls or can I just get out the sazall and go to town?