Hi guys, so we are swapping out the current joist on our stairway for a bigger one 2x7 instead of 2x6 as we are making the head clearance more. however, we’ve seen something a bit worrying. It appears that this joist is not sitting on the brick wall… and the whole dining room ceiling is being supported by one nail… please tell me I’m wrong? That 127 Cove you see is where we chiselled some back plasterboard of the coving which is from the ceiling in the living room, as we didn't realise it was the living room at this point! https://ibb.co/L0wtD0q https://ibb.co/1ZdwDQM https://ibb.co/r7D3PY1 https://ibb.co/7vgH8N9 https://ibb.co/k3FW6Qf https://ibb.co/HnbKvGW https://ibb.co/yVHSNZC https://ibb.co/DDbKNfq
There's a 2 brick thick wall running under the stairs (I think they removed a brick and a half to cater for the stairs going under the wall), and the long joist going along the stairs is supporting perpendicular joists holding the dining room ceiling. We want to swap out this joist with a slightly higher joist as we are increasing staircase clearance height to 2m (was 1.5m) but the long joist doesn't seem to sit on the actual brick wall.. and we are a bit worried if this is ok and if we can continue tbh
The joists holding up the stairway? Well the second floor of the bungalow was put in in 2007… I don’t think it’s older.
After nearly 15 years there would be signs of stress appearing if is wasn't adequately supported IMO. e.g. cracking in plaster/cove etc below through compression.
I would however suggest getting a structural engineer round to look for the sake of £150 or whatever. What do building control want to see?
Yes I agree, I'm getting my husband to contact the SE... waiting for him to do it. I would have done it sooner but hey hum !
There does appear to be a thin plasterboard line going along the ceiling in the living room 20cm away from where that joist is sitting. Think a SE is the best bet for now