Garage weight capacity?
#1
12-26-16, 03:49 AM
Garage weight capacity?
Hi,
Merry Christmas to all!
I've recently purchased a new home and I was wondering if some people there might be able to help with a question.
My new home was constructed in the late 1970's. The house built into a hill, and as such, the Garage was incorporated into the house.
Regarding layout, the garage sits above the main master bedroom.
The owners (and ones who previously built the house) always parked their car in the garage.
We would also like to park our car in the garage, but our car is a full size SUV as opposed to a car and of course weighs more.
Before I begin to park our SUV in the garage, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts as to whether the garage floor should be able to hold the weight of our SUV? The last thing we want is to wake in the middle of the night in the bed to find that our SUV is crashing down upon us
Thanks very much and would appreciate any thoughts out there!
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to all!
I've recently purchased a new home and I was wondering if some people there might be able to help with a question.
My new home was constructed in the late 1970's. The house built into a hill, and as such, the Garage was incorporated into the house.
Regarding layout, the garage sits above the main master bedroom.
The owners (and ones who previously built the house) always parked their car in the garage.
We would also like to park our car in the garage, but our car is a full size SUV as opposed to a car and of course weighs more.
Before I begin to park our SUV in the garage, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts as to whether the garage floor should be able to hold the weight of our SUV? The last thing we want is to wake in the middle of the night in the bed to find that our SUV is crashing down upon us
Thanks very much and would appreciate any thoughts out there!
Merry Christmas
#2
12-26-16, 03:58 AM
Welcome to the forums! How is it constructed? Is there a concrete floor? Your building methods may differ from those here in North America, so bear with us. Is there a way for you to take a peek above the ceiling in your bedroom to see what is up there and what support is evident? What type wall framing do you have in your bedroom? Wood, concrete, steel?
#3
12-26-16, 04:15 AM
You need the services of a structural engineer. He will have to access the master bedroom ceiling to determine the framing construction and calculate the weight it can support safely.
A copy of the original construction drawings can assist the structural engineer. Contact the former owner to see if he has a copy of the original construction drawings or can tell you the name of the builder. The builder will have a copy or can tell you the name of the design firm. Good luck.
A copy of the original construction drawings can assist the structural engineer. Contact the former owner to see if he has a copy of the original construction drawings or can tell you the name of the builder. The builder will have a copy or can tell you the name of the design firm. Good luck.
#5
12-28-16, 05:06 AM
Hi all,
Thank you for the responses!
@chandler - the garage floor is definitely a concrete floor and it feels very solid + sturdy. My wife believes it would support our SUV just fine, but I'm err'ing on the side of caution.
To compare with the previous owner, I know from our pre-purchase house visits that the previous owner kept many things in the garage, on the walls, on shelves etc. and we don't have nearly as much stuff in the garage.
I was doing rough checks of weight, and our SUV weighs 2000 kg, and I'd say that his car (I don't know the model, but it was a smallish hatchback car) weighed 1000kg. So the prev owner had his 1000kg car as well as all his belongings.
@beelzebob thanks for the insight re: structural engineer; I will look into that!
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and please let me know if you have any other advice / thoughts.
Thank you for the responses!
@chandler - the garage floor is definitely a concrete floor and it feels very solid + sturdy. My wife believes it would support our SUV just fine, but I'm err'ing on the side of caution.
To compare with the previous owner, I know from our pre-purchase house visits that the previous owner kept many things in the garage, on the walls, on shelves etc. and we don't have nearly as much stuff in the garage.
I was doing rough checks of weight, and our SUV weighs 2000 kg, and I'd say that his car (I don't know the model, but it was a smallish hatchback car) weighed 1000kg. So the prev owner had his 1000kg car as well as all his belongings.
@beelzebob thanks for the insight re: structural engineer; I will look into that!
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and please let me know if you have any other advice / thoughts.
#6
12-28-16, 05:46 AM
Group Moderator
Since none of us can see your garage floor we can not offer responsible advice. You will need to find the original plans for your floor or have an Engineer inspect it but the plans would be a big help as an Engineer will not be able to see what reinforcing is buried inside the concrete.
