10 situations when you should hire a structural engineer
You might not think about structural engineering in Manchester or the UK very often, but if you’re a property owner planning to make alterations, or in the process of buying or renovating a property, there are a number of cases where you would need the professional help of a local structural engineer.
Structural engineers are qualified specialists who can assist with a range of services relating to the structural integrity of buildings. These engineering experts can carry out tests and complete calculations to help you design and fulfil structural alterations that are in alignment with both safety regulations and your architectural vision.
Minor domestic renovations are less likely to need a structural engineer on board than large-scale commercial or industrial construction projects, but if you intend to make structural changes to any property, it’s important to know when a structural engineer is needed.
There are many different situations that require consulting a structural engineer, but keep reading to discover some of the most common examples of when their expertise is necessary.
1) Removing internal walls
Knocking through a wall and connecting two rooms to create a larger open-plan space has been a popular idea for homeowners for a long time now. However, this can affect the stability of the building, which is why structural engineers must assess whether internal wall removals are safe and which alterations are suitable.
They can tell you whether the wall you want to remove is load-bearing or not, and if it is, they can advise you on what you’ll need to do to maintain the appropriate structural support – such as installing timber or concrete beams or steel joists.
2) Modifying doors and windows
Similarly, if you want to make changes to doors or windows – whether that’s altering existing openings or installing new ones – this can also affect the load-bearing capacity of the surrounding walls. You’ll need a structural engineer to calculate the changes so you can implement a safe window or door design.
From making windows and doorways larger or smaller to filling them in or removing part of a wall to install a new opening, structural engineers can tell you whether this is possible for your structure and how to do it effectively.
3) Removing a chimney
Chimneys were an essential structural element of most homes for centuries, but with the invention of central heating and advances in insulation methods, chimneys and fireplaces have become obsolete. Owners of older homes with chimneys frequently choose to remove them to gain more square footage.
Again, if the chimney acts as a structural support, you’ll need a structural engineer to advise on the safest way to remove it without compromising the stability of the building – which could involve substitution beams or joists.
4) Underpinning foundations
Sometimes, the ground beneath a building can sink or slide because of changing moisture levels in the soil, causing the foundations to shift (subsidence). If left unchecked, the gradual movement could eventually lead to the foundations failing and the building above collapsing due to uneven load distribution.
Underpinning can repair and strengthen foundations that have been damaged by factors such as subsidence, but it requires a comprehensive understanding of foundation design – which is why you need a structural engineer to oversee the process.
5) Renovating a roof
As roofs typically endure the greatest exposure to the elements, their components can become worn and damaged over time, especially during severe weather. If a roof is cracking or leaking, prompt repairs will be necessary to prevent it from caving in and damaging the structure below.
Structural engineers can assess the problems with the roof and determine the work that needs to be done and the materials that should be used to restore the roof to its proper capacity. They can also help with planning the installation of solar panels, which affect the weight of the roof.
6) Designing a new build
While many engineering consultants also provide architectural services, like the team here at RD Engineering, it takes a qualified structural engineer’s input to ensure the design of new build homes can be realised safely. Not just creating architectural drawings, but translating them to structurally sound construction plans.
Constructing a new house or apartment building from scratch requires working with various contractors and experts in their individual fields to make sure all the pieces come together correctly, and structural engineers are key players in these teams.
7) Building an extension
There are countless benefits to domestic extensions – such as upsizing a smaller property instead of having to move house and increasing the property value. However, adding an extension to your existing property – be it a bigger kitchen, a conservatory, or a garage – will require educated guidance to make sure everything is executed as it should be.
A structural engineer can confirm the feasibility of your extension plans and help you design the essential support elements, delivering a structure that is appropriately reinforced and sturdy enough to last for many years to come.
8) Converting a loft, garage, or flat
Rather than extending their property, some homeowners prefer to upgrade it by converting an existing space to make it fit for a different purpose. For example, loft conversions into extra bedrooms, garage conversions into home gyms or offices, or flat conversions turning each floor of a building into individual apartments.
If the necessary foundations, load-bearing walls, roofing, access points, plumbing, and wiring aren’t already in place, this can take a lot of work and is unlikely to be successful without careful planning by a structural engineer.
9) Inspecting structural damage
Have you noticed cracks appearing around your building in the walls, floors, or ceilings? Is your roof sagging or your floor becoming warped? Is a retaining wall on or near your property slowly collapsing? Maybe you’re noticing leaks and damp that are getting worse?
Any of these could be a sign of significant underlying structural issues, which should be identified and fixed as fast as possible to avoid further damage and prevent the eventual total failure of the structure. The right person to do this? A structural engineer, of course – who is qualified to carry out inspections and provide detailed structural reports.
10) Resolving structural disputes
Not only can structural engineers carry out surveys to uncover structural concerns, but they can also act as third party witnesses if required to help resolve legal disputes regarding the structure between the property owner and other parties (e.g. a contractor or neighbour).
Delivering an impartial report outlining structural defects and the work that must be undertaken to rectify them, a structural engineer can be called upon as a qualified expert witness to present the facts of any structural failures. This specialist report can assist with making insurance claims or compensation claims to cover structural repair costs.
Is a structural engineer legally required?
In cases where you’re making changes to a building that won’t affect its structural integrity, you’re not obligated to consult a structural engineer.
However, if you aren’t sure whether the proposed work will impact the structural stability, or it’s apparent that it will, then it’s your responsibility to make sure the construction is completed to the legally required standards – which, unless you’re a qualified structural engineer yourself, can be difficult to guarantee without consulting a professional.
Both contractors following the plans and local authorities approving them will need the documentation a structural engineer can provide to confirm the right design and materials for the job. Otherwise, your structure may be at risk of failing, and local Building Control could even request it be taken down for non-compliance.
It’s always better to err on the side of caution and have a structural assessment carried out than to risk the dangers of a collapsing structure.
Here at RD Engineering, our chartered structural engineers are capable of assisting with a wide range of services and project types, including those listed in this article. If you would like to find out more, you can browse our website, or get in touch to discuss your project and receive a no-obligation quote.
Call our team on 01257 445 010 to arrange a consultation at your convenience, or send your information by email to info@rd-engineering.co.uk and we’ll get back to you soon.