Hi,

I have a house built in 1817 that has an addition built onto the back of the home. There are two staircases separated by a brick wall appx 2 feet thick. One in the old section and one in the new addition. I would like to open the wall up between them for a couple reasons, 1 to be able to carry things easier up and down and 2 so heat flows better to the addition from our wood stove.
My concerns are how do I do this and retain structural strength in the wall -what tools do I use, how much brick do I cut at a time- how do I shore up the opening as I go. Step by step instructions would be helpful.we were thinking of maybe a 36w x 7' height open doorway.

Thank you in advance
Rick R

Rick, this isn't a typical DIY job and requires some structural engineering to avoid causing big problems. I'd call 3 contractors to get their bids and listen to what they have to say about what they plan to do. Then take one of their bids or try it on your own now that you hear how the pros would handle it.

Rick, this isn't a typical DIY job and requires some structural engineering to avoid causing big problems.
Rick, ballengerb has very good advice hear.

I wasn't going to post here but just wanted to let you know , Rick I do what you are asking for a living and I wouldn't attempt this on your own. An average brick ways 6lbs and if it dropped on your head as you bend over it can easily kill you.

Don't know how long the wall is but here's how that goes. Take the width of the opening in the brick wall and form that header chase each course of brick up wards in a step pattern. Same on both sides until they intersect. This makes a corbeled natural arch. It also tells you how much brick can fall on you. The dangerous part is when you start taking the brick out its so tempting not to corbal it. And there are times you can get away with it. But also Boom it all starts to get loose and shaky and then very dangerous. To even do the arch there needs to be enough dead weight in pressure on its sides to support that arch and NO openings in that wall above for a good distance.

Its not like bracing up floor joist or even jacking up a whole house it gets tricky bracing floor to floor and brick loads are very heavy.

More than likely you will be tearing out a lot more that you may realize. Given the age of the wall those brick are basically dry stacked and maybe even powder in the middle at places.

Since the wall is 2 feet thick that's the big flag on how much weight its has to carry. Solid brick homes are usually 16"wide or 12" at the first floor and the it jumps back to 12" or 8" on the second floor.

Either way take Ballengerb1 first part of the advice.

He had more faith in you than I do about trying it yourself sorry, I've whacked out solid masonry walls for doors and windows well over100 times . Leave it to the pros! And stay alive to finish the other jobs.

If you see something funky the contractor is doing get back to all of us here so we can help you.


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