Garage needs support

[Clarke]

Hi,
I just got remarried and moved into my new wife's house. I've been consolidating two households into one, tuff task. I noticed that the ceiling in the garage has a bow running the 24' front to back. I asked my wife what was above the garage and got a shrug. Today I put a ladder up to the only access, a hole I barely fit through and took a look. Well, the structure was stick built in the early 1960's, no trusses. The ceiling is 2 x 6's on 16" centers spanning the full 24'.

So my question is what should I install for a center support header spanning 21' at the 12' line to support the 2 x 6's?

Clarke

 

[mike93lx]

Depends on what you want to do with the space above. I'd replace those joists/rafter ties before adding a beam and posts. To avoid posts, you'll need a significant beam

Pictures would help

 

[Clarke]

Depends on what you want to do with the space above. I'd replace those joists/rafter ties before adding a beam and posts. To avoid posts, you'll need a significant beam

Pictures would help

I'm looking to use the space in the garage. Above the ceiling is not accessible and very limited. I want to hang things from the ceiling since the ceiling height is 10'. The ceiling is sheeted with drywall.

 

[nadogail]

I would take pictures and share them with this group.

My garage was built with a 16’ span on 24” centers. I put in a pull down attic ladder.

 

[billconner]

At 24' you ought to be able to support it with an LVL, but if a single wide garage door, that header needs upgrading. A temporary hole in one gable, and a lot of muscles to get it in if you want it above. Lumber yard can size lvl.

I'd put a beam under and a post dead center to keep beam size, weight, and cost down.

 

[mike93lx]

I'm looking to use the space in the garage. Above the ceiling is not accessible and very limited. I want to hang things from the ceiling since the ceiling height is 10'. The ceiling is sheeted with drywall.

Are you OK with a post in the garage? If not you need to pull the ceiling and replace the joists with something larger

 

[billconner]

How "up to code" do you want it to be? Many old garages supported undersized ceiling joists with hangers from rafters. You risk possibly overloading rafters, but might be ok for you.

Temporarily support from underneath, raiding ceiling to level or a bit above. Install a 2x4 - maybe a pair - connecting rafters to ceiling joists. Lots of fasteners.

I still like a beam better.

 

[Clarke]

I've been thinking about 2 - 1-3/4" x 11-1/4" x 22' LVL supported by a 4 x 4 on each end. This would be placed mid point of the 24' span. The 4 x 4 supports would be set into the apposing walls.

 

[billconner]

Are you insulating? I'd probably use 5 psf for ceiling weight, maybe add 2 pounds for insulation.bNobatyic storage at all. So the lvl is carrying less than 2000 pounds. Ask the lumber yard or look up in lvl manufacturer tables if that works.

The 4x4 need a little foundation but just a little. should be ok on a slab.

So sounds good. Hardest part will be jacking up existing sag.

 

[Clarke]

Are you insulating? I'd probably use 5 psf for ceiling weight, maybe add 2 pounds for insulation.bNobatyic storage at all. So the lvl is carrying less than 2000 pounds. Ask the lumber yard or look up in lvl manufacturer tables if that works.

The 4x4 need a little foundation but just a little. should be ok on a slab.

So sounds good. Hardest part will be jacking up existing sag.

The garage is attached to the ranch home and the attic is open from the house to the garage. I do plan on adding more insulation as it looks like the minimum was installed in '66.

As for support, one side will be inside the interior wall of the house on the foundation and the other will be inside the exterior wall on the garage footing.

Jacking up the sag will be fun. I do enjoy a challenge. I'm a retired millwright, I've moved everything from packages for my wife to a 1600 ton forge press weighting 202,000 lbs. and pretty much everything in between. The working alone I'm used to, but I turn 69 next Tuesday, I'll need to employ a grandson or two.

Thanks for all the input. I do respect your suggestion.

Clarke