Question about a header
 

We are in the middle of a kitchen renovation, some parts DIY, some parts hired. We are planning to put in a range hood, exhausted to outside. Because there was a stud in the way, we had a local construction company come to prep the wall. The person who came cut out a section of the stud and said there was no need to add any additional support.

Does this sound reasonable, or should I be investigating getting a header put in? The house is old (1880), balloon framing construction, and the studs are generally spaced about 12" apart.

if only one stud was removed you will be fine. If that makes you feel uncomfortable adding a small header will not hurt

Cutting just one stud should not do any harm. I stilll would have done it or at least installed a double and a single ripped 2 X 6 at the top and bottom as a fire block. It would need to be ripped because your studs are more then 3-1/2 wide,

The honest answer is --- It dpends

What load was on that stud.
Single stroy or 2 story?
rafter right on that stud that may bear on it?

In reality it may not matter at all.

Mike Holmes would probably have a heart attack on the guy though... ;)

Cutting out one stud if its a bearing wall is not fine at all.

Thanks for all of the replies! It is a two-story house, and I wasn't able to determine if a rafter was loaded on that stud.

Since the wall is open and installing the header seems straightforward, I think I may go ahead and do it.

You think? You have no idea if its a load bearing wall. You had a contractor come in and cut the stud out without determining whether its load bearing wall.

You're answer should be that you WILL be putting in a header.

This type of work where I'm from requires permits and inspections. What does your town require?

Yeah, putting in a header can not hurt.
I'd do it if I was not 100% sure it was not load bearing.

Balloon framed. 12'' on center. 2 story. 22 1/2'' Header. Sure, go for it.

When have you ever seen a house framed 12 inches on center?

I have renovated one, built in the 70's.
Not very common though.

Old days, they balloon framed the walls 12'' OC and the roof sat on that.. The second floor was then framed in between the balloon framed walls locking it in.. Obviously they haven't framed like that for many moons.. And as far as it being a bearing wall. Yes it is. It's on the exterior of the home, that is why the stud was cut to begin with to vent the exhaust without having to travel 20 plus feet through the wall, through the second floor, through the roof. And I've framed many homes with bearing walls, and balloon frame walls 12'' OC with cathedral ceilings.. Whole home 12'' OC .. Never.

Must be a regional thing because in almost 30 years of framing and working on old balloon framed homes....I've never once seen them framed 12" centers. I've also never framed any walls 12" centers on new work.

I started my framing in Philly Pa. I can think of numerous homes, where the first floor deck was framed 12oc and the bearing wall above it for 2 floors framed 12oc. Balloon framed walls with 2x6LVL's 12oc. My latter part of being there was all custom homes 7,000 to 13,000 sq ft.