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al_ponder

Load bearing wall inquiry

6 years ago

DIYer here and thank you in advance. Ranch home built in 1957. Attic/Main Floor/Basement.

I've expanded my bathroom by knocking out through a neighboring closet. The wall between the bathroom and shower had over lapping joist resting upon it. It's about a 6' - 7' foot span. From the Attic you can tell this portion of the home has a 8' span of over lapping joist 16" apart.

Not joining nor adjacent, There is a metal center beam both in the basement and where the roof rest upon from the main floor.

BATHROOM PROJECT: The wall removed was 16" on center stud framing with two 2×4 top plates that the over lapping joist rested upon. However, this wall nor side post carried through down to the basement on any finished construction. I read a load bearing wall would distribute weight downward? It all rest on the subfloor that rest on floor joist.

I removed the wall and inserted a 3x3 LVL beam 7' span to cover the removed wall. using the same king/Jack setup opening the bathroom. The beam will be exposed. I was thinking about lowering the ceiling in this area covering the beam? That way I could also add additional support (because as a DIYer, I'm overly cautious).

only, on the other side, I cut into the exterior wall top plate, added additional studs and braces for the lvl beam.

All the weight from that small portion of the roof seams to be supported by the main floor. Is this common (past construction)? or is that potion of wieght that insignificant to require that continuous support? curious to what is thought. Thank you.

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