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I’m intending to increase the opening size (width & height) in two separate, exterior load bearing walls. There are french doors there now (double 32″ x 6-8), want to replace with larger french doors (double 36″ x 8-0), maybe also sidelites. The existing headers would have to get replaced with new headers in a new position. The doors are on the 1st floor of a 2 story residence. There is also a substantial (2-3 ft) crawl space below the 1st floor. The 2×6 floor joists are parallel to one of the existing doors, and perpendicular on the other door. The construction is typical early 80s So Calif (2×4 framing, all joists and studs 16″ OC, 5/8″ subfloor, stucco exterior).
Generally, what’s the recommendation for shoring up the 2nd story while door headers are removed & replaced? (you can tell I’ve never done this before …).
In another part of this forum, a reader comments about the March 2000 FHB article on shoring a load bearing wall: ” .. A novice reader might have been better served to hear what happens when you jack over an unbraced floor system. The sound of popping floor joists can ruin your entire day .. “
I’d like to avoid ruining my day (and my house)!
While using 2-3 large rented screw jacks as outlined in the article is appealing (time saving and simplicity),
1) what size beams should be above and below screw jacks to avoid concentrating the loads too much?
2) shoring floor joists in the crawl space, I assume same setup would be needed ?
3) or would I be better off (read: safer) constructing tempororay stud walls in the 1st floor and crawl space, taking care to keep temporary studs aligned with existing joists? A lot more work.
Replies
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I'm intending to increase the opening size (width & height) in two separate, exterior load bearing walls. There are french doors there now (double 32" x 6-8), want to replace with larger french doors (double 36" x 8-0), maybe also sidelites. The existing headers would have to get replaced with new headers in a new position. The doors are on the 1st floor of a 2 story residence. There is also a substantial (2-3 ft) crawl space below the 1st floor. The 2x6 floor joists are parallel to one of the existing doors, and perpendicular on the other door. The construction is typical early 80s So Calif (2x4 framing, all joists and studs 16" OC, 5/8" subfloor, stucco exterior).
Generally, what's the recommendation for shoring up the 2nd story while door headers are removed & replaced? (you can tell I've never done this before ...).
In another part of this forum, a reader comments about the March 2000 FHB article on shoring a load bearing wall: " .. A novice reader might have been better served to hear what happens when you jack over an unbraced floor system. The sound of popping floor joists can ruin your entire day .. "
I'd like to avoid ruining my day (and my house)!
While using 2-3 large rented screw jacks as outlined in the article is appealing (time saving and simplicity),
1) what size beams should be above and below screw jacks to avoid concentrating the loads too much?
2) shoring floor joists in the crawl space, I assume same setup would be needed ?
3) or would I be better off (read: safer) constructing tempororay stud walls in the 1st floor and crawl space, taking care to keep temporary studs aligned with existing joists? A lot more work.