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Building Homes or Extensions/cutting a brick and block wall

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Expert: - 7/15/2010


Question
I have a store, it is old, i think it has been built in the 1960's and the wall has been made (from outside to inside) brick, foam insulation, masonry block, and finally drywall. i want to cut a big opening for a walk in cooler the size is 16' feet long (i have left off a few feet from each side). the height is 8 feet for the opening. my store height is roughly 10 feet and roof is flat, and i think there is a wooden beam on the top of the wall then they put crossbeams in the ceiling. how can i cut the wall? do i need to put another beam on the opening?

Answer

BRICK BLOCK SUPPORT
Hi harbinder, With the brick and the block you need a steel lintel for each element.  I would start at the outside and have a professional concrete cutting company cut out the mortar joint at the appropriate course of brick and make the cut at least 8" past the new opening on each side.  Then you would install a 6" high x 4" deep x 1/2" thick steel angle to support the brick course.  Then I would do the same thing on the other side, cut out the appropriate mortar joint and install a 6" high x 6" deep x 1/2" steel angle that bears 8" on each side of the opening.  Once the opening is supported you then cut the rest of the opening out.  I am attaching a detail.  This is just a suggestion and I recommend that a structural engineer be consulted to look at the project in person so as to make the proper calculations for bearing weight and other unforseen circumstances that may be occuring.  I hope this information helps please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com

Bruce E. Johnson

Expertise

I can answer any construction related question in regards to carpentry, concrete, drywall, masonry, structural elements of any type of building, residential or commercial. Interior or exterior.

Experience

Custom Commercial and residential buildings. Churches, theaters, schools and auditoriums. Most recently I am working with the Catholic Church on several design build committees. I have a website related to scheduling and project supervision. Although my expertise is more related to multimillion dollar commercial, educational and theatrical projects my generous credentials in residential and remodelling construction make me a viable source of information regarding all forms of building questions.

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