I got a job coming up that requires me to open up a wall to make a greatroom, leaving no “beam” visible at the opening. Pretty cut and dry stuff except the entire wall from foundation to roof peak was made of cinderblock back in the 50’s. The roof is a truss type running parallel with the cinderblock wall (i.e. the cinderblock wall is not holding up the roof!).
I figure I need some sort of temporary structure to support the weight of the cinderblock wall above the opening but haven’t found any good way to do it. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Hammerbob
Replies
Is there a reason you need to retain the cinderblocks above the opening? If it's truly not bearing, it may be more cost effective simply to demo it from the top down. Here in earthquake country, the first thought would be to get rid of unnecessary weight up high. Also, here you'd absolutely need an engineer's wet stamp to touch this kind of thing. Maybe best to figure an engineering bill into the bid.... For discussion here, pictures are always helpful.
-- J.S.
Today code calls for a bond beam at eight feet and solid course every four feet with the gable top being a bond beam. If the 1950 house was build close to this you can demo the wall with no problem because the bond beam/header will hold the weight. Get a hammer drill and check for solid concrete.