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*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Selma, VA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

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Last update on January 28, 2026

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Rock-River Engineering
4.6(
5
)

Serving Selma, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2004

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"

David was on time and very professional. He spent an appropriate amount of time evaluating the 2 areas we had requested. He documented the inspection w/ photos, measurements, and sketches. He provided a verbal preliminary report and is to provide a written final report w/ specifications for the mods we are proposing. (Removing a wall upstairs and a post downstairs.) We were happy to hear that our mods were going to be less complicated than originally thought and consequently less expensive. We have the peace of mind that the proposed changes are structurally sound and will be done correctly.


"
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

No, beams are the primary load-bearers for flooring or roofing systems, and they distribute the weight of the structure to your foundational supports, while joists bear far less weight and distribute their loads to the beams. Beams are usually thicker and longer, and they have support posts or foundation walls beneath them for support.

First, most contractors will have a structural engineer create a report and plan for your project to ensure it’s safe to cut into the load-bearing wall. The contractor will then excavate around the wall, if necessary, measure the opening—allowing for additional space to fit and level the door, and then cut the doorway out. They will likely install a steel lintel as a header over the door for support. Once the doorway is cut out, they’ll demolish the concrete using sledge hammers and masonry chisels, clean up the surrounding concrete, and seal around the door with masonry mortar. 

You should avoid drilling or cutting into load-bearing beams because removing material will weaken it and increase the risk of structural damage or even collapse. If you do need to drill into a load-bearing beam, speak with a structural engineer first to discuss where it’s safest to drill and the width and depth of the bit that’s safe to use.

Accurate measurements, sturdy materials, and seamless integration with other structures.

The easiest way to tell if a wall is load bearing is to check if it’s an exterior wall or if it runs perpendicular to the joists above and below it (or parallel to beams). Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing, and walls that run under beams or parallel to them are also usually load-bearing. There are exceptions to these rules, and walls that don’t fit into these categories can still be load-bearing. If you’re unsure, hire a structural engineer to look at your home to assess whether or not the wall is structural.

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