Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 10/24/2010

Question
need to run a header 12' in place of a outside wall. The second floor beams run the same way as how the beam needs to be run. How do i support the second floor/

Answer
Hi tom,  when you use the word "beams" are you referring to the floor joists?  Are you saying the floor joists of the second floor run parallel to the wall you want to eliminate?  If so, then you already have some support in place in the last floor joist that runs underneath the outside wall.  In some cases this joist is doubled creating a built in header in itself.  If this is the case then you can open up the ceiling at the outside wall and reinforce the existing rim joists up inside the floor system.  If the joists under the outside wall are doubled up already then you may not need any additonal shoring to remove and replace the wall with a header.  I can't really comment on the condition or existing support on something I cannot see.  But I have removed walls and inserted headers in cases such as yours without additional shoring as long as the floor joists supporting the outside wall are continous for the 12 feet involved.  If the outside rim joists are broken or spliced somewhere in between the span you are talking about then you should add another joist alongside the existing wall joists, full length so that it spans over the 12 foot section.  This will transfer the weight properly while the wall is removed and the header replaced.  Before altering any structural element I recommend that you have an engineer look at your situation to make sure there isn't something that has been overlooked in your observations.   I hope this information helps, please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com