Load Bearing Wall

tsicby

We created a 5' opening to a load bearing wall in a residential house on a concrete slab foundation using a double 2x6 header and have noticed a few wall cracks coming out 4 weeks later on adjoining walls that seem to be "active" (we fix them and they open back up).

How long can it take for everything to settle? Should I get an engineer to look at it?

RYANINMICHIGAN

2X6 Would not fly here...

ChrWright

2x6 sounds too small to me, too.... Two story house? What's the load factor on this wall section (size & span of floor members above, roof load, etc.)

I would have at least talked to my lumber yard to get the beam properly sized.

Where are the cracks? How did you seam the drywall? That can also affect cracks over time on load bearing openings.

I'd be careful of damage to what's above as well...If there are baths up there... with tile... you could be in store for a lot more damage long term--especially if there's a bath tub... I've installed whirlpools that will hold upwards of 100 gallons of water=800+ lbs=cracks & damage if not properly supported.

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thom

You need to do the load calcs just like these guys said. Then, check the slab. You've added a concentrated load. Was the slab thickened enough to support the additional load, is the slab sinking/cracking? Is the headder deflecting? Loading is one cause of cracking. There are others.

JustaFramer

should you get a engineer. Anytime you do something structural a engineer should be used. Since for one you used a double 2x6 to begin with. a double 2x6 doesn't even hold a candle to a actually 4x6. If you are using this dimension for head height then you should be looking at a PSL or a glu-lam.

georgia dawg

Hardly any code allows double 2x6s to span that distance. Also, remember code is the minimum requirement. Build better than code.

Example:

Only supported scenario under IRC for doubled up 2x6 headers would be max. 5'5' span on an exterior bearing wall supporting only a roof and ceiling (no other floors) with building width no more than 20 ft. and a 30lb snow load.

No other scenario comes close. You can forget any interior load bearing span of this size meeting code or anything with another floor above it. see IRC 2006 tables 502.5(1) and 502.5(2) for reference. In most jurisdictions, if it's in the code book, you don't need it engineered. Just look it up.

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