Hi
2 years ago we knocked a stud wall between our kitchen and living room areas to open up the space. Kitchen is about 3m long and living room 6m. We occupy the ground floor of a 3-storey Victorian converted house.
The builders said at that time that they had definitely seen a girder or joist (not sure if there is a difference) above the ceiling and halfway down the length of the living room and therefore we didn't need a new one. This didn't surprise me as the living room was extended about 60 years ago like all other houses on the streets so they must have added some sort of reinforcement at that time.
However, rather stupidly I did not check this for myself and relied on the honesty of the builders. The house hasn't moved since, but it frustrates me more and more not to know for sure. Is there a way to know for sure if there is a load bearing beam above the ceiling without making a hole in the ceiling?
Many thanks
Fholler