Using two car jacks and a bit of ingenuity, I managed to install solid bracing to support the ceiling and roof. I now have a huge opening in the wall that will soon be reframed with a new window.
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I created a short 4"x 6" beam (about 3 feet long) by screwing together two pieces of 2x6. I set the beam atop a 4x4 post, and jacked it upward against the wall plate. In this photo, the large 4x4 that is slightly cocked is pressing the beam and plate upward. Below: A wider view. |
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The scaffold needed to be strengthened to support a second car jack and upper post to that 4x6 beam way up top. So I installed this 2x6 post directly below the point on the scaffold floor that would hold the car jack and upper post. |
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Dueling jacks: One inside, one outside. Together, they are temporarily pushing the 4x6 beam and ceiling plate upward. |
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Note the small gap above the top of this stud – this represents the amount of sag in the plate: approximately 3/16". The sheer weight of the wall-plate is being supported by the horizontal beam that is being pressed upward by the car jacks. |
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With both jacks holding up the beam, I jammed strong posts under each end. I used screws to hold the posts to the beam and to the floor – and to the scaffold floor on the outside. Now the posts are holding the weight, so I could remove the jacks. The old window header is now supporting nothing. I took a hammer and knocked out those last two studs, then I sawed through the header and removed it. |
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A clear opening now exists in the wall. The two posts are supporting the ceiling/roof. Now I will be able to start framing the wall for a new window. Before I do so, however, I plan to drag the window through this large opening and set it onto the scaffold. Once it's out there, I can frame up this wall and then install the window. From this point onward, most of this Tea Room project will consist of construction rather than destruction. For me, psychologically, construction is a thousand times more rewarding. |
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