RSJ Steel Beam over window

Joined
30 Aug 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Country
United Kingdom
Had to strip down cieling and noticed that the RSJ crossing over from the garage wall into the house rests over an internal window!

Above the window all I could see is bricks, I'm guessing there is a lintel of some sort but even so would this be sufficent to support the weight of the floor above?

The UPVC frame has a very slight bend roughly just left of the RSJ. I really do hope I'm worrying about nothing.

WhatsApp Image 2024-12-23 at 12.09.01.jpeg
WhatsApp Image 2024-12-23 at 12.09.01 (1).jpeg
 
Sponsored Links
Do the beams not carry on going and span onto the wall on the LHS of the room in the first pic? You could do some further investigation in the circled area to see if there's a lintel or something.
 

Attachments

  • expose.jpg
    expose.jpg
    251.2 KB · Views: 28
The house was extended above the garage in the 80s.
The two beams running size by side (one for each leaf) stop above the window and do not extend any further.
I know this from having previously had the floorboards up in the adjacent upstairs room.
This used to be an external wall, and so is double skin with a breeze block inner leaf/brick outer leaf.
WhatsApp Image 2024-12-23 at 13.27.13.jpeg

The previous owner tells me the window was put in about 12 years ago, somewhat reassuring.
He believes the fitter that replaced various other windows put a beam above this one, however isn't certain.

I'm not clued up on these things and so perhaps am not looking in the right place or worrying unnecessarily.
A spark is due to chase the light switch on the RHS which may be an oppertunity for further investigation.

Other points to mention, if relevant or assist:
- Minor sag roughly in the centre of the UPVC frame (unnoticeable to others).
- The brick under one of the beams is loose.
- The wall opposite the window is single skin breeze block and has 1mm vertical cracks top to bottom directly under the RSJ.
The beam extends past this wall to the garage external wall which is double skin. There are no cracks on the external garage wall.

1734962158347.png
1734962772369-png.366943


What was only meant to be the sparky sticking in a few spotlights has now got me fearing the worst, a hefty structural bill coming my way.
 

Attachments

  • 1734962772369.png
    1734962772369.png
    2 MB · Views: 241
Do the beams sit on the right hand wall from the first photo? I suspect they are cantilevered out and over to the internal window. This is far from ideal but the fix could be a post or bricking up some or all of the internal window.

This may be one for a structural engineer to come and advise. Unfortunately this is one of those 'once you know you can't unknow it'.
 
Sponsored Links
Yes, the beam sits on 3 walls.
External garage wall, internal garage wall/hallway wall (single skin with vertical cracks) and ends at the double skin wall over the window.

Thanks for the perspective on cantilever. The original extension ofcourse didn't have this issue but now that its been introduced, If I want to keep the window I could support the beam from inside the garage which would also cause minimum distruption.
With enough luck and maneuvering I might still be able to squeeze out the car :LOL:

What kind of support type is usual for this type of situation? RSJ Column?
 
Last edited:
Yes, the beam sits on 3 walls.
External garage wall, internal garage wall/hallway wall (single skin with vertical cracks) and ends at the double skin wall over the window.

Thanks for the perspective on cantilever. The original extension ofcourse didn't have this issue but now that its been introduced, If I want to keep the window I could support the beam from inside the garage which would also cause minimum distruption.
With enough luck and maneuvering I might still be able to squeeze out the car :LOL:

What kind of support type is usual for this type of situation? RSJ Column?
Why is there a window (...to nowhere) there at all? :confused:
 
Its so you can feel like your at the zoo watching apes roam around.
Jokes aside, Its unusual but it does make a long narrow entrance somewhat more interesting.

As i've just found, structural surveys at the point of purchase will rarely pick up things like this and you can't expect to strip down a sellers house to look for potential issues... feel a bit hard done or unlucky I should say, but it is what it is.
Now that the elements are exposed I'll have to get an opinion from a professional structural surveyor and take it from there.
Fingers crossed its won't involve too much work or pesos with a 7m baby around the house.
 
Can't need more than a hefty (or calculated) length of SHS (if what's there now is inadequate, ie a standard catnic or concrete lintel - which probably isn't suitable for the point load). Hammer and chisel to investigate.
 
Yes, the beam sits on 3 walls.
External garage wall, internal garage wall/hallway wall (single skin with vertical cracks) and ends at the double skin wall over the window.

Thanks for the perspective on cantilever. The original extension ofcourse didn't have this issue but now that its been introduced, If I want to keep the window I could support the beam from inside the garage which would also cause minimum distruption.
With enough luck and maneuvering I might still be able to squeeze out the car :LOL:

What kind of support type is usual for this type of situation? RSJ Column?
As a cantilever, surely you'd be needing to stop the RSJ moving up at the garage end? Wouldn't a column (pointlessly) stop it from moving down?
 
If this was my house I would prop up the beam, take the window out, brick up the aperture, make good and redecorate. Then carry on your life with your mind set at ease. I think what you have found is previous shortcuts and for the small outlay it takes, its worth putting it right now.
 
Who says it's wrong? Who says it's bears any weight on the window at all?
All we have is a couple of photos and the word of the OP who, by their own admission, is not qualified to judge

Taking out a window that is, in their opinion, useful and interesting, would be a detriment. It should be investigated in person by someone suitably competent. I expect if those beams were carrying a serious load, and bearing it onto the window head, that pane would have been in pieces by now..
 
So I've done a bit more digging, chased up to the face of the brick and found what I believe is the lintel.
Its a 2mm thick, the pointing around was terrible and I think thats as far as i'm comfortable investigating before a pro steps in.
Would this suggest its a catnic lintel and not suitable to carry the point load of the beams or is there not enough in the photo to go by?

1735057326534.png


As a cantilever, surely you'd be needing to stop the RSJ moving up at the garage end? Wouldn't a column (pointlessly) stop it from moving down?
Assuming it is a cantilever, which I don't yet know, my guess was support would be needed at the wall shared between garage/hallway?
The far end of the garage appears fine, its double skin with no signs of cracks and no windows/doors/openings beneath.
I'm not clued up on these things, could you explain where my thinking is flawed or which aspect of this is pointless?

Who says it's wrong? Who says it's bears any weight on the window at all?
All we have is a couple of photos and the word of the OP who, by their own admission, is not qualified to judge

Taking out a window that is, in their opinion, useful and interesting, would be a detriment. It should be investigated in person by someone suitably competent. I expect if those beams were carrying a serious load, and bearing it onto the window head, that pane would have been in pieces by now..
Its held up for 12 years so i'm not immedietly worried that it'll collapse overnight.
My concerns are cracks on the garage/hallway wall and the point load of the beams situated above the window.
The beams carry the load of the first floor extension front elevation wall and so I think it would be prudent to have a professional investigate.

That is a freakishly tall baby. Did you marry a Titan?

--- Sorry, I'll get my coat...
Good point, I'll let him enjoy this christmas and then put him to use as the support ha
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top