Structural Engineer - Help

[expedition]

Originally Posted by Norwest Alta

Sure a engineer is fine but they are not always right and do make mistakes that they are not held accountable for. Personally I'd talk to alpine, wildwoods and or wrongside. All three seem highly knowledgeable.

an engineer is required by law!

[jpohlic]

Originally Posted by Newview01

Before I go the engineer route, what if I were to "crutch" two studs together? I.E. if I am adding 2' of stud on top of the existing stud (after removing top plates) with a 5' brace/crutch glued and screwed to both.

Let me begin by saying that preserved wood foundations often fall under part 4 of the alberta building code and will require engineering. This includes adding a pony wall on top of the existing PWF wall (which is a bad idea even if you find an engineer to approve it). Some instances of PWF foundations fall under part 9.15.2.4 and do not require engineering.

If you are going to the trouble of removing the top plates then there is no need to keep the old studs. Just frame new studs all the way around and remove the old ones. But make sure it's built to code, whether it requires engineering or not.

Originally Posted by Newview01

Or am I wrong.

P.S. yes I am too cheap / not enough in the budget to go the engineer route, unless he rubber stamps my "design".

To answer your question, yes you are wrong. If you don't have the budget for an engineer or professional advice then you can't afford this renovation. And that's all the free advice that this residential designer with 20 years of experience can offer.

[Wrongside]

Originally Posted by Norwest Alta

Sure a engineer is fine but they are not always right and do make mistakes that they are not held accountable for. Personally I'd talk to alpine, wildwoods and or wrongside. All three seem highly knowledgeable.

In some ways you're right. Sometimes structural engineers come off with some wacky stuff. (It would be a huge help if they actually put on the tools and worked in the field as part of their training, IMO.) But a stamp is a requirement for most jobs and permits, and if you use the right guy, you can work with them toward a viable, sound solution.

Trying to get around engineering or inspections is shortsighted and will ultimately backfire. The building will be inspected sooner or later. The OP could be stuck with a unsafe and unsellable property.

[Newview01]

Thanks everyone.

I am not sure yet how I will proceed.

[badger]

hmm

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Newview01

Thanks everyone.

I am not sure yet how I will proceed.

Reach out to those who offered to give you contacts to engineers, if you back woods hillbilly rig up something you can or will kill someone...a matter of time
Worse case or all that bail twine will give out and the walls cave in, your time and money pizzzzed away....

[RancheroMan]

Have you considered digging down to increase your ceiling height? Might not work for the entire basement but a couple steps down into a large living room area wouldn't be so bad I'd imagine?

[husky hunter]

Originally Posted by Newview01

Wood Foundation - (6'9" ceiling height, 2x8 treated walls), can I add a 2' pony wall to increase basement ceiling height without too much stress to the current walls? The only additional weight would be the weight of the pony wall. Realistically, that weight is probably offset by the ultralight drywall in use these days. Just thought I would double check.

I needed a mechanical and electrical engineered drawing for which I was quoted an unreal price. I put an add on Kijiji and got both complete and stamped for about 10% of the original quote. And we all live happily ever after.

[Newview01]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Reach out to those who offered to give you contacts to engineers, if you back woods hillbilly rig up something you can or will kill someone...a matter of time
Worse case or all that bail twine will give out and the walls cave in, your time and money pizzzzed away....

I am not looking to farmer build this reno. Just trying to be as cost effective as possible.

[Norwest Alta]

Originally Posted by Newview01

I am not looking to farmer build this reno. Just trying to be as cost effective as possible.

Lots of farmers work for sfa. Ask one? Lol

[Newview01]

Originally Posted by Norwest Alta

Lots of farmers work for sfa. Ask one? Lol

Haha there is definitely enough farmer in me to scab something together, but I just don’t want my house falling on my kids.

[mac1983]

Engineers , Lawyers what's the difference. haha