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Adjustable Shoring Posts for Temporary Load Bearing

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15K views 30 replies 10 participants last post by  G&Co.  
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#1 · (Edited)
Hey guys - just wondering what folks are using for temporary support when replacing a load bearing wall (in lieu of a traditional 2x4 temporary support). I'm trying to find shoring poles that can support the same weight as a vertical 2x4 that are much easier/faster to setup. It just seems like it would save me some time and material doing it that way...

Oh, and yes I'm having an engineer review this project, yes I am pulling permit, etc. My question is really just about what folks are using as temporary supports in lieu of temporary 2x4 framing.

-Scott
 
#3 · (Edited)
Jack posts or screw jacks, as @rustyjames said, are easy to setup. However, if you're removing a carrying wall and you need to support 24 individual point loads, it's an expensive, fiddly setup. Each jack post will move independently. If the floor above is wonky, it might be impossible to keep a post from falling over and keep the tops of the posts in the same plane.

Of course, you could always span with a beam and only use a couple posts, but the connection point on those posts is not designed to keep a beam from rolling over (EDIT: The ones I've used, anyway). Plus, you'd need a big expensive beam, cut to size, for each side of the wall you're removing. You could split the difference with handful of posts for each side of the carrying wall, and put a couple 2xwhatevers on top of them, if you can solve the beam rolling/connection issue. Sounds like more work and money than it's worth.

So unless you are just picking up a few point loads, a 2x4 temp wall might be the most economical and stable solution.
 
#24 ·
reggi said:
So unless you are just picking up a few point loads, a 2x4 temp wall might be the most economical and stable solution.
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Exactly. In a majority of jobs my engineer will spec 2x6 wall frames with double plates, screwed to the floor and every joist. When done the lumber is typically used on the rest of the job so no wasted time or materials.
 
#16 ·
That was kind of my point. Of course you can guess. But do you really want to absorb that risk? Not me.

The point is OP said he has an engineer to review it. Ideally, I would have my engineer do a site visit first, review it, and draw up the plans. Then give the plans to the EOR for final approval. The plans will tell you the who what where why on how to do it.
 
#18 ·
Pompanosix:
Yes. In the case of a simple removal of a bearing wall and replacing it with a beam/header, the engineer has already calculated the beam so he has the load numbers. It takes him 5 minutes to do the shoring plan, which may be as simple as a statement to build a couple of 2x6 wall frames and attach to joists and floor.
 
#19 ·
We've used the screw-type shoring posts numerous times. Typically to provide temporary support when reframing bearing walls. Engineer not required. They have already spec'd new wall/load configurations--how to do it is in the contractor's court. Like @VinylHanger mentioned above.
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They're often useful not necessarily as support for bearing loads, but just to raise certain framing members into position.
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I will say that we have gone through a lot of experimenting to find the best tool to crank them. Rebar through the holes bends too quickly, stock level is garbage, etc. Longer steel pipe has been the best way to get leverage and not go flying if something slips or bends 🙃
 
#22 · (Edited)
I do understand your point and you are incorrect. Here the shoring is the same as any other structure in the project. Yes the engineer has to specify all of those things and yes it's going to be on the plans and in many cases the inspector will insist on inspecting the shoring before you can tear down the existing structure(s).
It's a trivial thing for the engineer. As said he already has the loads and only takes him a couple of minutes to put the shoring spec on the plan.
Regardless, as Pompano pointed out, it's plain silly to assume liability for something with serious consequences and for which I am explicitly not qualified. And for which I already paid the engineer.

Edit: Eddie, just to be clear. I'm not arguing what YOUR engineer may or may not say or do. I'm just stating what he is REQUIRED to do here.
 
#28 ·
G&Co. said:
Edit: Eddie, just to be clear. I'm not arguing what YOUR engineer may or may not say or do. I'm just stating what he is REQUIRED to do here.
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Understand. And as windycity noted, it’s probably a function of the size of the project, and the local jurisdiction.

It’s been several (many) yrs … i was doing a whole house reno, which included installing a 30 ft 4x12 LVL to support the ridge beam of clay tile roof, with the tiles in place. Engineer said “be sure to shore it properly”. Other than sizing the lvl that was his total input.
 
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#27 ·
I’m sure this shoring engineering debate probably depends on the size and scope of the project

If you need to shore up a large structure on large scale project I’m sure there is a very specific engineering plan regarding shoring

Most of my projects are smaller in scope and I have never seen specifics on shoring requirements on smaller buildings/projects,

I shore up masonry building all the time but never anything larger than a typical warehouse or 2-3 story building

In a pinch the scaffold company that I rent from can give me a rough estimate if the shoring I am using has enough capacity without going to crazy with engineering specs, But for any large scale project that is outside of my comfort level I would probably require an engineer to sign off on my shoring plan

David
 
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#30 ·
Thanks guys for all of your responses. I think that in order to minimize my risk here I'm just going to frame out the shoring structure on both sides with plain ole' lumber. After taking this project on I also decided to build a new 10x20 shed, and so I can reuse the lumber that I'll use for the shoring. Going forward, I'll factor in the cost of the lumber into the quote. I didn't do that here which is one of the reasons I ended up trying to find an economical way to do it both in terms of cost and time. Lesson learned.

Thanks again!
-Scotty
 
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