RSJ not needed, according to the builder-

last year

Hi Everyone,

Hope all is fine and everyone is having a nice Sunday in the sun.

As you may know, the builder has taken down the wall, between the kitchen and diner to create an open plan kitchen.

As per the building and structural survery, both advised that an RSJ be installed. My builder even sourced it.

He now says it’s not needed. That instead, it will be used to support the door frame. Between the dining and sun room. As this sliding door is to make way for a bifold one.

I am now a lil preplexed. Is it not needed? Jonathan in the past did mention that it’s strictly not needed but I would feel better if I over engineered the house

Pleaae do advise

Thanks

Mel

Featured Answer

Jonathan

last year

I suspect your structural engineer will tell you that the wall that contains the kitchen window and the dining room door to the conservatory was braced by the wall between the kitchen and dining room.

When that wall is removed the engineer may have been of the opinion that an RSJ would help strengthen the wall that was originally an outside wall. An RSJ is not always specified to hold a load above - sometimes it’s purpose is to stop a building flexing when you remove internal partitions.

I am of the same opinion as your builder however you don’t pay for professional advice and then ignore it so I would clarify with the structural engineer as they are the experts.

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Comments (13)

HU-768402840
Original Author
last year
Some pics

Original wall and sliding door

The sliding door, from the sun room
HU-768402840
Original Author
last year

The wall which was knocked down

No wall, just the remnant on the left

Is it bearing any load??

the remnant of the wall, on the right side
HU-768402840
Original Author
last year

RSJ to be used here instead

interior view
HU-768402840
Original Author
last year

Building and structural survey!
HU-768402840
Original Author
last year
Good morning

Jonathan, Sonia, Daisy, HH

et al

Any advise please

ta

mel
K OB
last year
It seems that whilst there was no load directly on that wall, it was a recommendation by a structural engineer to have a suitable beam installed. My concern would be regarding potential insurance claims that the engineer's advice wasn't followed. Equally, go back to the structural engineer and ask the specific question and get it in writing.

n writing.
HU-768402840 thanked K OB
sarh123
last year
Also check with the engineer whether you need building regs for any of the jobs your builder is doing. When you come to sell you need the proper paperwork (be careful on this if builder is changing your windows- double glazing companies have their own scheme to meet regulations).
HU-768402840 thanked sarh123
HU-768402840
Original Author
last year
Thanks, Sara and K OB

Jonathan, any input please

KR

Mel
HU-768402840
Original Author
last year
Hi,

I went back to the builder and cross-checked, with the structural report

He has come back with the following

What the engineers could not see was there is a double-sized joists running from the chimney to the outer wall.

Therefore it will not affect the house or the building regulations.

Please some more close up pics, enclosed within

The above three pics are of the wall attached to the chimney( inner side of house)
HU-768402840
Original Author
last year

Pic of the wall, or remnant of the wall, attached to outer wall of the house
Jonathan
last year
Earlier on in discussions I suggested you consider opening the kitchen diner to the conservatory in order to have a better kitchen. I also suggested you block up the doorway between the dining room and lounge and instead have a doorway near the stairs so that furniture placement is easier in the lounge.

Now you have stripped the house are you tempted to revisit these ideas?
HU-768402840 thanked Jonathan
HU-768402840
Original Author
last year
Thanks million Jonathan,

I'm waiting for the builder to come up with an updated figure, for the refurbishment.

There have been several new add ons, as you may imagine. So waiting to see how much more I have to pay....till then all is on hold.

On the plus side, all your advice as well as my builder's both match. So I am reassured that I have the best people to help me with this daunting task. A newbie, who till 6 months back didn't know what an RSJ meant!

Thanks you once again, from the bottom of my heart

Kind Regards

Mel