A Supporting Beam Under Scrutiny.....

[Mosaic]

When we bought this house nearly 40 years ago, the previous owners had knocked through a pantry/ store room to enlarge the kitchen. Now we have the leisure time and the cash to make significant improvements, I've started to look at the beam they installed.
It spans roughly a 3m gap and has a bathroom with a bath above it. I think it is timber, but I haven't peeled back the layers of woodchip and anaglytpa.
Am I right in thinking this is - er - a source of worry?
And why didn't the original building society survey pick it up?
And do I have any redress against said building society if I need to replace this beam?

[murraymints]

may well be an RSJ in disguise ??

[Mosaic]

I'm hoping so. I shall prod it with a knitting needle, but not until I've come back from hols - no point spoiling my fun.

[jackthehat]

Not necessarily.....
What dimensions is the beam, approximately?
Does it run in the same direction as the floor joists in the same room, or are they at right-angles to it?

[Mosaic]

Jack, it's at right angles to the floorboards so is parallel to the joists. I've not measured its girth but the part that's been papaered over seems to be about 8 inches square, protruding downwards from the ceiling.

[jackthehat]

Timber of that size ought to be strong enough to span a 10ft gap.
The floor joists in the room will take the load of the fittings.
I shouldn't fret too much if I was you. :o)

[paddywak]

As minty says it might be a girder in disguise after all nobody would want to look at a 4 x 4 RSJ running through the room,and what difference does it make if it is timber as long as it's of a size to do the job prople were using wood beams long before steel.Get it checked and if it is wood and up to the job clean it up stain it and use it as a feature

[Mosaic]

Thanks Jack
(goes for bath and emerges in the kitchen....)

[Mosaic]

And Paddy, muy gracias.
Oddly enough, I had a local builder in to give a quote for a similar job in another part of the house. He was all steel rsj and ooooh, this gonna cost.....none of which mattered as I never saw his droppings afterwards.

[The Builder]

Have a poke at the timber, Mose. Is it ordinary softwood or plywood?

[EDDIE51]

After 40 years I can't see you having any come back on the original survey.