How to remove internal walls

Big milestone in the renovation achieved this weekend. The final bits of wall framing separating kitchen to dining and dining room to lounge have been removed and two very large heavy beams have been installed. Here's some photos showing the steps involved in putting the beams up.

This first photo shows the final bits of wall framing holding the ceiling up.

A lot of preparation has gone on before being able to put the new beams in. This new framing which will support the beam had to be built ready to fit in to place. Below this under the floor, new piles had to be put in to support the weight. The photo below shows the holes cut in the floor. We had to dig down into the dirt and concrete in new piles, then secure these to the joist with strapping.

Next is fitting a bracket to the first beam. This is where the second beam will join on to the first beam. Measure 5 times: measure, mark, measure again, fit or cut and measure again. Note the beam is laminated pine - pieces of offcut finger jointed and then these are layered and glued together. This is apparently more solid and stronger than a single piece of timber.

Safety is paramount. It's time to take out the last two posts of old wall framing and hope the ceiling doesn't fall down.

Now is the exciting part - getting to use the Genie Lifter.

The beam weighs about 120kgs. Machines like this make it almost a one-person job.

Here we go winding up the Genie which lifts the beam into place, with a little bit of jiggling. The good things about these beams is that they will slot in between the old scotia.

Nearly there. Now slip the new post in to secure the beam in place.

Bashing the post in to place. Below in the hole you can see the new pile and the strapping.

Insert a temporary post at the other end and then lower the Genie. Stand back and see if it's going to stay up.

Now bolt in the new beam at the top.

The adjoining beam now needs to be shaped to slot into the bracket.

Hoist up the second beam, jiggle and guide it into the bracket and hope it fits. It didn't the first time, so we had to bring the beam all the way down and using a long drill bit, we made the slot deeper. Perfect on the second go.

With the beams in place the new wall framing can be built into place.

Nogs are built into the exterior wall ready for braceline gib (as required by Council). The ceiling framing you see in these photos is hung and barely supported by the interior walls. So no walking around up top.

With the beams up and all the interior wall framing gone, we begin to get a feel for the new open plan area, for how the kitchen flows into the dining area with it's new french doors opening out onto the carport, and over into the lounge area, similarly with new french doors where the chimney used to be. Now a light large space, where once it was dank, dark and cold with a broken fireplace and bright green walls. 

All the staples and nails have been pulled from the floors ready for polishing. Can't wait for that. It's such a great feeling of satisfaction.