Ask Me Help Desk - Interior wall removal

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Interior wall removal

OK guys I have removed the drywall and studs from the interior wall and what I thought was a framed soffit turns out to be 2 2x12's with plywood between them. The beam goes all the way across the living room width just like the center beam of my cathedral ceiling. I have pictures looking up the air return vent which is the end of the beam. I think it's safe to remove the post to make one big opening. Let me know what you think please.
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2x12 screams load bearing wall and the triple 2x4 support fits with that too. That 2x12 may stop and restart on the other side of the triple 2x4. Got to confirm if the triple is carrying any load. This could easily be an engineers call.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

2x12 screams load bearing wall and the triple 2x4 support fits with that too. That 2x12 may stop and restart on the other side of the triple 2x4. Gotta confirm if the triple is carrying any load. This could easily be an engineers call.

Even with another wall 43" from it before getting to the end of the beam? I have engineered trusses in the ceiling. Why can the beam in the cathedral ceiling span the whole area without support under it?

Bob,
Check Patty's previous post on this wall. She has trusses and only attic space above. The only load that there could be, would be the ceiling, and trusses should be self supporting. Span of this beam is is less than 12'.

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

Bob,
Check Patty's previous post on this wall. She has trusses and only attic space above. The only load that there could be, would be the ceiling, and trusses should be self supporting. Span of this beam is is less than 12".

I think it will be OK and thanks for your input Harold. You know I wouldn't do anything to compromise my home. The roof slopes down to the wall where the front door is and my gable ends are on the sides in the direction that the beam goes.

If u have a cathedral ceiling on living room side of beam and flat ceiling on dining room side, then ceiling beams are sitting on 2 by 12.

This makes the 2 by 12 beam supporting.

Chuck

Is this home built with a scissors truss, does the interior ceiling slope match the slope of the roof?

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Is this home built with a scissors truss, does the interior ceiling slope match the slope of the roof?

The ceiling matches the slope of the roof and I think it's a scissor truss from looking at pictures of scissor trusses. The beam is one solid piece for 16' 3". The beam lies diectly under the ac ducts in the picture.
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Here are pictures of scissor trusses. picture of a scissor truss - Google Images The interior ceiling would not match the exterior roof line with a scissor. I can't picture any builder sandwiching two 2x12 over ply for no other reason than a load bearing beam. Any chance you can call your local building department and see if they have a copy of your plans from when it was built. Ask the inspector to take a peak, I really still think this wall is load bearing.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Here are pictures of scissor trusses. picture of a scissor truss - Google Images The interior ceiling would not match the exterior roof line with a scissor. I can't picture any builder sandwiching two 2x12 over ply for no other reason than a load bearing beam. Any chance you can call your local building department and see if they have a copy of your plans from when it was built. Ask the inspector to take a peak, I really still think this wall is load bearing.

I talked to an inspector and he said the beam was fine without the wall so I tore down the 2x4's under it and cut and removed the top plate. It was just toenailed into the beam and there wasn't another 2x4 on top of it. It wasn't directly under the ceiling joist.Attachment 23983

Congrats Patty,

Never concerned about the wall, only about the post under the beam. Obviously the house didn't fall down. If the beam bows in the next 20 years let us know, we'll come fix it.

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

Congrats Patty,

Never concerned about the wall, only about the post under the beam. Obviously the house didn't fall down. If the beam bows in the next 20 years let us know, we'll come fix it.

I am sure it will be fine since it's well supported by the other end twice... once at the end and 36" from that in the air return duct. I still have a truss roof supported by the outside walls. I'll let you know if anything sags but the 2x4's came out with hitting them with a regular hammer so I don't think there was much weight on them.

Do you mean the 2x4s under the beam?

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

Do you mean the 2x4s under the beam?

Yes the 2 x 4's under the beam came out with just hitting with a hammer!

Then you definitely have no worries. That is other than patching up the floor and ceiling. I'll be waiting to see what you do with the area. I know it will be great.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Then you definitely have no worries. That is other than patching up the floor and ceiling. I'll be waiting to see what you do with the area. I know it will be great.

Thanks Harold! I'll let you see the finished product after I patch the ceiling,wall and rip out the vinyl tile and refinish the concrete floor to look like wood like I did this room. Attachment 23985

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