Concrete in Kitchen Soffit?

Myst420 · 02-24-2013, 09:23 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm in the process of putting in new cabinets and would like to get rid of the soffit in my kitchen, but I'm running into an issue.

I attached a couple pics of what I'm seeing. Basically it seems like there is concrete block inside the soffit, which I can't seem to wrap my head around.

The house is a Tri-level home. The living room is one level, the kitchen is up 3 steps, then the bedrooms are on the "second-story". Above the kitchen is just a roof though, so there's no concern for supporting a floor above.

Can anyone tell exactly what I've got from the pics? I know the holes I made are limited, but if I need to make them bigger I can (patching drywall isn't a problem)

Thanks,
Mike

Fix'n it · 02-24-2013, 10:31 PM

go hit it with a hammer. does it sound solid ?

maybe there was some kind of stone up there(instead of wall paper). and they just dry walled over it ? idk, just sayin.

SPS-1 · 02-25-2013, 09:22 AM

I would be thinking that they may have built that structure because there are utilities --- maybe a faurnace vent, pipes, etc, running through part of that upper area. You would have to open it up some more to take a good look.

SPS-1 · 02-25-2013, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fix'n it

does it sound solid ?

I doubt its solid --- I can see a pot light in the middle of it.

Myst420 · 02-25-2013, 10:03 AM

I know the entire soffit isn't solid, because (as mentioned) there is a can light in the middle of it. From the little drywall I took out, it seemed like there was a row of blocks going across the length of the wall. I know there is a vent for the microwave running through the soffit on the adjacent wall, but that isn't an issue. I can get into the attic above the kitchen, but I can't get close enough to the wall to see what's going on inside the there.

I don't think opening the "front" more will help me, because it seems like these blocks run the length of the wall. I guess I will just have to open it up some more underneath.

Has anyone ever run into concrete being in a soffit like this before? btw, the house was built in 1980

brockmiera · 02-25-2013, 10:50 AM

Is it concrete backer board?

concrete block wouldn't be used to span distances like that. It has no strength like that.

Myst420 · 02-25-2013, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brockmiera

Is it concrete backer board?

concrete block wouldn't be used to span distances like that. It has no strength like that.

That's what I was thinking originally, but I don't have a lot of experience with backer board. I tried to drill a small hole into it, but it seemed like concrete to me ??? would backer board have the same feel as concrete while drilling? and would it be a consistant color throughout? Please excuse my ignorance, but this is my first home, and first kitchen I've had to redo.

Myst420 · 02-25-2013, 12:18 PM

Once I get home today, I plan on removing more of the drywall on the bottom of the soffit. I will take some more (read: better) pics and post them up as well. I really want to be able to take the soffit out, and just can't seem to wrap my head around why there would be anything structurally there...

brockmiera · 02-25-2013, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myst420

That's what I was thinking originally, but I don't have a lot of experience with backer board. I tried to drill a small hole into it, but it seemed like concrete to me ??? would backer board have the same feel as concrete while drilling? and would it be a consistant color throughout? Please excuse my ignorance, but this is my first home, and first kitchen I've had to redo.

Yeah concrete backer board would have the same feel. Its small concrete pieces with a mesh holding it all together. Think really brittle gray concrete. The color of the board is what got me thinking concrete board. No good reason why it was used up there though. I guess if they were going to tile or maybe they had some left over and used that instead of plywood. I think you are not looking at any CMU block there but definitely take down more drywall.

Heck I'd take down the full face of one. I mean if you have to put it right back up its easier doing one all new surface than matching and blending that orange peel.

Myst420 · 02-25-2013, 07:31 PM

ok, so I cut a larger hole in the bottom, and it looks like the soffit is staying.....what do you think?

looking to the left:

looking to the right:

SPS-1 · 02-25-2013, 07:50 PM

Hard to tell what I am looking at in those photos. So is that your roof that is running through the kitchen soffit area? Where are you located? Moist air from the kitchen condensing on a cold roof surface is a good way to create mold. Not sure if maybe the cement board was being used as a vapor barrier.

brockmiera · 02-25-2013, 07:54 PM

Looks like yhey squared off the soffit instead of following the pitch of the roof. I still dont see any reason to have concrete board there. How thick is the concrete?

Myst420 · 02-25-2013, 08:32 PM

I'll try and take a couple more pics....to make it more clear....and yes, that is the roof....I'm honestly really confused after looking at everything. will post pics in a few minutes to explain more

Myst420 · 02-25-2013, 08:43 PM

ok, here are a few more pics to help explain what I'm seeing.

Above the cabinets:

Doorway to dining room:

Dining room:

From below soffit:

Any ideas?

Myst420 · 02-25-2013, 08:54 PM

ok, so after going outside and looking at the house (and realizing I seem like a fool now) it is kinda making sense...

one last pic....kinda clears things up a bit...

So I now realize I can't get rid of the soffit completely, because the roofline is too low, but can I make the soffit smaller so that it is only over the cabinets? basically, what would be the purpose of the concrete?