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07-03-2009, 07:34 PM
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#1
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Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
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load bearing walls
I have a load bearing wall and the last home owners cut a 2 x 4 beam out to make an archway. Should I fix this or be concerned? Thanks Christie
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07-03-2009, 09:03 PM
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#2
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Extreme DIY Homeowner
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rockland, MA
Posts: 5,799
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Do you have a picture?
What is the distance spanned for the archway?
How long was the 2x ?
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07-03-2009, 09:10 PM
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#3
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Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
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the archway is 27 1/2" wide and the 2 x 4 was 81" I think I just attached a pic if I did it right. thanks
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07-03-2009, 09:14 PM
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#4
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Extreme DIY Homeowner
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rockland, MA
Posts: 5,799
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Is there a wall above/below this wall?
Did they cut the 2x out of the side of the opening?
Was there a door there at one time?
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07-03-2009, 09:18 PM
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#5
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Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
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no wall above its a bedroom, basement below. In the basement there is a steel beam running directly below it. There was never a door there. I found out the woman who lived here before cut the archway into it.
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07-03-2009, 09:24 PM
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#6
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Extreme DIY Homeowner
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rockland, MA
Posts: 5,799
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Do you know which way the ceiling joists run?
If they run parallel to the opening not much of a problem
If they run perpindicular & rest on the wall above the opening then it could be a problem
Without a wall above you only have floor support for upstairs
If perpindicular you are carrying 1/2 of the floor load from each room on that wall
Joist are usually 16" OC, at worst you have 2 joists that land in that 27"
Are you sure they didn't put a header in above the opening for support?
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07-03-2009, 09:38 PM
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#7
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Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
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I think they run perpendicular to the opening. and I dont think there is a header. Do you think I should replace the beam and seal it up?
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07-03-2009, 09:59 PM
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#8
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Extreme DIY Homeowner
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rockland, MA
Posts: 5,799
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How long ago was it cut out?
Any signs of cracks in teh ceiling or walls
Is the fireplace wall an angled wall
I would not worry about it too much if there aren't any cracks
Without knowing if they installed a header, or which way the floor joists run I would leave it
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07-03-2009, 10:03 PM
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#9
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Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
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it was probably cut at least 6 years ago. Don't see any cracks. The fireplace wall is at an angle.
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07-03-2009, 10:08 PM
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#10
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Extreme DIY Homeowner
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rockland, MA
Posts: 5,799
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I would leave it then
Any sagging would have occured in 6 years I think
No waterbed upstairs over this ? 
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07-03-2009, 10:33 PM
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#11
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We pick these?
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Indiana, Texas, Florida
Posts: 127
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If you cut an 2x4x81" out of an 8' wall, what happened to the other 11-5/8"? 81" (81-3/8") is a cripple/jack length framing member found underneath headers of the 2x12 nominal type with double top-plate above. Am I missing something? Are you suspicious that the previous person did sub-standard work unpermitted or is there some problem you've noticed?
(says I'm a noob, yes to the forum... I'm a 13yr custom framer in the field)
Last edited by NailedIt; 07-04-2009 at 11:20 AM.
Reason: Better explanation
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07-04-2009, 07:04 AM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Hermitage Pa.
Posts: 567
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just from the picture it looks like someone did a nice professional job but you really cant tell until you get up in their and take a look to see how it was put together but at this point I think I would go with Dave on this if you dont see any cracks or sagging I would leave it be.That is unless your wanting to take it out and close it up ,I personaly like archways and the way yours looks is nice it matches the window in the backround perfectly
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07-04-2009, 09:54 AM
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#13
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Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
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thanks, i'm having someone come out and take a look on monday. i'll let you all know how it goes.
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