Three Renovation Tasks Requiring Structural Engineer Assistance

Are you thinking about making some changes to your home? Whether it’s creating an extension, opening up an existing space or turning a loft or garage into a new bedroom, there are plenty of exciting ways to give your current property a refresh without the hassle of moving.

But before you get carried away, it’s important to get the appropriate checks completed and consult the experts (where needed) when completing home renovations. One of these professionals is a structural engineer, who is there to assess the structure of the building. They look at the strengths and weaknesses of the property and can run calculations about load bearing capacity and other structural elements of any proposed amendments. This allows you to ensure that your home will last for many years to come.

These people are highly trained, and their job should not be attempted by an amateur. It can be tempting to cut corners in order to save costs, but this only puts your home and family at risk. Additionally, when you come to sell your property, you may run into expensive legal issues that means it would have just been better to pay the fees in the first place. Let’s explore some of the common renovation tasks that may require the expertise of a structural engineer.

Knocking Through Internal Walls

Open plan spaces have been in fashion in recent years, with a move away from formal dining rooms and separate eating areas. As a result, many of us are choosing to create larger kitchen-diner rooms, often incorporating a peninsula or island kitchen worktop so that the chef can talk to their family or guests when cooking.

Unless you’re extending, these spaces are often created by knocking through an internal wall to merge two rooms together. You’ll likely need a structural engineer to test if the wall is load bearing – i.e., if it’s holding the weight of the rooms above it. Otherwise, you might find yourself taking out a lot more wall than you bargained for. If it is load bearing, don’t worry. Steel beams can be inserted into the ceiling to replace the existing wall.

Loft and Garage Conversions

If you need another bedroom, but don’t want to move house, then why not consider converting a traditional storage space into a usable room? Lofts and garages are typically used as a dumping ground for items that are used on an ad-hoc basis, such as suitcases, backyard toys and sports equipment, but they could also be used for living.

However, it’s important to consult a structural engineer to ensure that the space is sufficiently strong enough to support regular use. Additionally, you may need to make some changes to meet fire or other safety regulations.

Removing a Chimney Breast

If you live in an older property, the chances are that you may have a chimney or two either hidden in your walls or out in the open. This harks back to the day where people used stoves for heating, but is often redundant in modern properties that are equipped with central heating. Whilst some people do install wood burning stoves for extra warmth or aesthetic reasons, they’re not usually required in every room, particularly not in bedrooms. Removing them helps gain extra space and reduces the need for custom furniture that fits around the chimney breast.

However, before removing them, it’s good to understand if they’re supporting the ceiling above them. In semi-detached properties, you’ll also need to consider if the chimney itself is shared with your neighbors – otherwise you’ll remove their ability to have a fire too.

Take Advice Rather Than Taking A Risk

When it comes to the structure and therefore safety of your home, there is no point in taking a risk. Before you start any large renovations, contact a structural engineer and ask if they need to come and assess the changes before you go ahead. Even if they say no, you’ll have the reassurance that you’ve asked the question.

About Woodard Cleaning & Restoration

Woodard Cleaning & Restoration was founded in 1946 by Earl and Nancy Woodard. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Woodard services the greater metro area (Illinois, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, St. Louis County, and many more). Woodard is proud to serve as the preferred provider for cleaning & restoration services. Our cleaning services include carpet, hard surface, furniture, and rug cleaning for both residential and commercial properties. We also provide water, fire, board-up, storm and smoke restoration services for residential and commercial clients. For information or questions submit a form online or call us at (314) 227-3932.

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Updated 11/22/2023