[trevtherev]

Hi everyone I am new to the forum and wanted to get some varying opinions on a beam size. I have a wall that is in the center of my house. The wall is framed out of 2x3 with 24" centers. Above the wall is 2x6 ceiling joists that are continues from outside walls and do not break on the wall. I want to remove a 16' section of the wall but the issue is that the wall is built out of 2x3 and lvl only comes either thicker or thinner than 2.5". The wall was put up after the ceiling was sheetrocked. Is this even a weight bearing wall? There is no foundation work in the crawl space for the wall. Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[gregzoll]

I am guessing that this is a trailer. Unless this place was built by Billy & Joe Bob, there is rarely a need to use 2x3's inside for walls.

 

[trevtherev]

No it is a rancher style home. The beam would cover a 16' span there is a 36" opening at one end and a 30" opening at the other end the wall between is 9'6". There are no headers above the openings. The homes in this area were built as Vacation homes but I agree it is some weird framing

 

[joed]

It does not sound like a load bearing wall. what is the span of the ceiling joists when the wall is removed? Are they joists or trusses?

 

[trevtherev]

The span is 24' and they are 2x6 joist there is a modest attic above it. I was hoping I could use a lvl beam that is 1" 7/8 and build the beam to match the 2x3 wall if not I will have to reframe the portions of the wall that are staying to match the next size up lvl beam of 3.5" wide

 

[joed]

24' on 2x6 is way over spanned, even for a just a ceiling joist.
I'm not an engineer so I could not even begin to size the proper support.

 

[trevtherev]

I believe I need a 3.5" x 14" x16' beam but its puzzling how the existing wall is framed. I was not prepared to find a 2x3 wall with 24" centers.

 

[Mingledtrash]

u/joed is right this needs to be looked at by a professional. as it stands now it could be dangerous even with no modification. pray no wind or small earthquake causes your ceiling to collapse in the meantime.

 

[joed]

Don't forget support is not just a beam. It is also posts that transfer the load down to the foundation. Work might also be required below this wall in the basement or crawlspace.

 

[jimn]

Something sounds distinctly fishy here. Perhaps some one else did some renovation earlier. As others have said , support systems are just that. They include all of the pieces and structure necessary to support a load. That includes, beams and all the other components that carry and distribute the load. I would not even think of knocking down a wall that might even be remotely load bearing without an on site structural engineer and have him specify the required beam, posts, footings and temporary support systems while the permanent wall is being built.

 

[123pugsy]

Something sounds fishy alright. :surprise: They have to be trusses if the "load bearing" 2x3 wall has nothing underneath.

OP, any pics of the joists and rafters in the attic?