Internal non-structural wall question.

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Internal non-structural wall question.

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#191954 22-Feb-2016 16:00

I've been planning for years to remove an internal wall between kitchen/dining in our 1963 house.
SWMBO keeps reminding me to get on with it.

I've had two LBP builders look at it, it runs parallel to floor/ceiling joists, there's no roof support above it, there's no pile/post under it. In about a minute each, both builders poked their heads up in the roof space and have said "no worries mate - it's non-structural".

But it does have a double joist below and above, spaced 2" apart. Now I assume that those were put in solely for the reason that the floor and ceiling plate 4x2s sit in the middle, so the edge faces of the joists overhang the plate an inch each side - the sole function of the double joists is so that there's something that flooring timbers and and ceiling lining could be attached to. If that's the case, then yes - there should be "no worries" - but I do tend to worry anyway.

Dynamic

3869 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1497091 22-Feb-2016 16:26

And your question is......?

Yes you can borrow my chainsaw. :)

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

Referral links to services I use, really like, and may be rewarded if you sign up:
PocketSmith for budgeting and personal finance management. A great Kiwi company.

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vocus

#1497103 22-Feb-2016 16:45

If it's non structural (as confirmed by 2 qualified builders, no less) then it's non structural. Rip into it, son!

richms

28192 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1497104 22-Feb-2016 16:46

Yup, they do that with the floor in old houses with T&G floorboards. So you have to fill the gap, and the ends of the existing boards will not all be even and flush so it can be a real PITA as a friend found out. Some would have been lucky to be 2mm over the joist, so trimming all back meant paralleling another piece of wood.

Richard rich.ms

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#1497115 22-Feb-2016 17:14

richms:

Yup, they do that with the floor in old houses with T&G floorboards. So you have to fill the gap, and the ends of the existing boards will not all be even and flush so it can be a real PITA as a friend found out. Some would have been lucky to be 2mm over the joist, so trimming all back meant paralleling another piece of wood.

No worries with that - where the wall was will be under new cupboards / bench.

I thought that's why the double-joists were there. There's not much in the wall to be removed, a couple of power outlets to be shifted, no plumbing, so all good.

But it's going to be a PITA for a while - I better get on with it while the weather's still nice enough to BBQ outside.

SATTV

1648 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#1497449 22-Feb-2016 22:11

Fred99:

No worries with that - where the wall was will be under new cupboards / bench.

I thought that's why the double-joists were there. There's not much in the wall to be removed, a couple of power outlets to be shifted, no plumbing, so all good.

But it's going to be a PITA for a while - I better get on with it while the weather's still nice enough to BBQ outside.

I am going through that pain at the moment.

Out house is a 1966 model so not dissimilar to yours.

My father told me to look at the wall, rule of thumb is it is framed with 4x2 ( look at the door jamb ) it is load bearing, if it is frames with 3x2 it is not load bearing.

Another thing to check is if there is lino on the floor it ( or the glue ) may contain asbestos, get it tested ( approx $80 ) for piece of mind.

Enjoy the BBQ.

John

I know enough to be dangerous