load bearing wall was removed

[monique]

Hi, my husband and I just bought a house. During the house inspection we were told that a load bearing wall had been removed between the living room and kitchen. there is a bowing effect above where the wall was removed, also settlement noted in the attic. The house is one floor plus basement. the inspector told my husband he could fix this himself by supporting the beam. However in the official report I recieved today it says to contact a structural engeneer. My husband wants to tackle this himself. He plans to use 2x4 s to support the beam and to make two pillars for support.
Does this sound dangerous or is it just a matter of adding support to prevent furthur settlement.
Monique

[Cole]

To be safe I would contact an engineer but yes I think your husband will be able to tackle the job.

[Dragon]

The engineer should be consulted to determine where and what kind of support is needed.

[giddonah]

I've never seen 2x4's used for this kind of thing. I'm sure the engineer will suggest something more substantial.

[Vector]

I've never seen 2x4's used for this kind of thing. I'm sure the engineer will suggest something more substantial.

Depends on where the 2x4s are being used. If they're making a column to support a beam, then they make sense. It would make no sense to use 2x4s in the beam, however.

I think there's not enough information in the original post to offer more advice than "get an engineer."

[David]

Just for clarity, I think you are gonna need 2x4's with headers. Since it was a load bearing wall, you need the headers. It is something he can probably do, but as everyone has said, the money spent on a structural engineer will be well spent.