Ripping out an exterior wall

Groo · Wed May 26, 2010 1:10 am

I'm getting ready to rip out a 15' section of an exterior wall (hopefully the only section I do this to) to redo it and fix the floor

Do I just put up a temp wall a few feet inboard to hold up the roof while it is apart? It has a curved rubber roof. will the trusses hold up OK to being suported from this new position for a couple of days? based on the current wall (heavily notched 2x3s with a bit too much rot), it can't be very heavy.

Lorne · Wed May 26, 2010 7:52 am

Last year they replaced a 12 foot section of outside wall in a bedroom and did not add any temporary supports and had no problems. These were of course 2x4 exterior studs, not 2x3's.
Starting tomorrow they are replacing a second bedroom outside wall in the same way.

Extensive rotted floor joist ends, Rim Joist and plate.
Good luck.
On second though a little extra support might not hurt, JUST IN CASE. Better safe then sorry.

JD · Thu May 27, 2010 8:24 pm

If security is an issue, you may need some type of wall. For the repair itself, you could support the trusses with screw jacks and a 4x6 beam. 6 mil plastic can help keep weather out. This is certainly not something I would do if windy weather is expected any time soon.

If you use screw jacks, I would find out where the webbing is on the trusses and set the jacks there. I would also fasten the jack to the beam, the jack to floor joists and the beam to the trusses in some way to ensure they do not move.

I have lightweight jacks I use for quicker repairs. Basically they are load jacks for truck trailers, and a carpeted 4x4 beam. For a job that may take overnight or longer, I would use construction style screw jacks or possibly just lumber. Something stronger and more secure.

JMO
JD

Groo · Fri May 28, 2010 1:30 pm

Sounds like I'll do what I was originally planning. I think I'll make a temp wall out of 2x4s. Screw the sill plate to the floor and let the header just sit up there to catch the ceiling, maybe a diagonal brace or 2 also. I'm not too woried about theft or weather, but I don't want the whole place to come crashing down mid repair.