The total length that they opened up is 12 foot 3 inches. At about 4 foot out there is a post which seems to be there only because there is a light switch to the dining room light on it (this is the original end of wall) When I exposed the inside of this post there are two 2x4's, one cut in half to fit in electrical box, the other whole and ends at the top of the original door frame. When I look in the attic above this wall there is a 16+ foot double header that looks at least 16"x2". Can I remove this post? I know how to move the eletrical, just not real sure about framing and structure. Thanks for any help on this.
2006-08-14 07:32:00 · 5 answers · asked by peace 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
If there was any bearing on that single 2x4, it would most likely be severely bowed as we speak. I feel confident, assuming that the header is one clear span from side to side, that the post can come out without any change in bearing.
If it is a header as you say, I would check underneath the jacks that the header rests on to make sure that there is bearing underneath them, and if not fix as needed. Even if that header isn't bearing any weight from above, the jacks that it rests on will act as point loads, and if not supported in some manner from below it could eventually lead to a sagging wall/floor.
2006-08-15 05:20:35 · answer #1 · answered by dzbuilder 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the attic joists were running perpendicular (at right angles) to the former removed wall, then most likely that was a load bearing wall. Especially if the joists were not continuous over the 2 rooms, but overlapped across the missing wall.
If there are any roof supports, trusses, etc that are nailed to the doubled-joist, it is definitely load bearing, and I would be very surprised that a single post will support that loading.
But if the attic joists ran parallel to the missing wall, chances are good that it is not a load bearing wall.
Have a contractor, architect or structural engineer look at your situation and give you an expert opinion - the cost of their opinion will be peace of mind, as well as saving you the expense of rebuilding your roof if it came crashing down.
2006-08-14 09:08:08 · answer #2 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If there's only 1 2x4 in place, then it is not a weight bearing point. The slenderness ratio would be too high for it to support any significant weight.
2006-08-14 10:01:43 · answer #3 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm not a professional but it sounds as if you can remove the post, sounds like there is only a 2x4 that would not bare much weight anyhow. it depends where the wall is though, if it's a weight bearing wall at all, if not it really does not matter much.
2006-08-14 07:46:32 · answer #4 · answered by merlineaton 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
more then likely it is weight bearing, thats why they left it up, a light switch can be
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2006-08-14 07:41:35 · answer #5 · answered by bllnickie 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋