header load bearing?

2986 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by rrk, Feb 10, 2014

johnnubudro

Discussion Starter · Jan 30, 2014 (Edited by Moderator)

I have a house with a standard 4/12 pitch roof. The previous owners lifter half the roof to create a second floor. The closets are quite short and I want to make them taller. How can I know for sure if the header above the closet door is load barring? I'm a glass replacement guy, not a carpenter but I am versed enough to tackle this project. I just want to be sure I don't collapse the roof.

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Jdub2083

· #2 · Jan 30, 2014

I'd start by bringing in someone who knows what they're looking at before you take a major risk by just going off what you saw on the internet. I'm not down playing your skill set or capabilities, but that's not something that can generally be answered without seeing it.

Get it looked at, spec'd out, and go from there.

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muskoka guy

· #3 · Jan 31, 2014

Generally if it has a header, its carrying something. If its non bearing there generally wouldn't be a header there. Best get some professional advice, if your not sure.

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johnnubudro

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 31, 2014

Yeah, that all makes perfect sense. I'll have someone look at it for sure. It's not worth the risk. Thanks guys.

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hdavis

· #5 · Feb 10, 2014

Get it looked at. Usually a knee wall would be built to support the lifted roof, and that would be the structural bearing, but you never know until you look at all the framing what was really done.

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m1911

· #6 · Feb 10, 2014

Just start cutting out studs and if your Sawzall blade binds in the stud, then it's a bearing wall! LOL

I'm joking obviously...

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rrk

· #7 · Feb 10, 2014

muskoka guy said:
Generally if it has a header, its carrying something. If its non bearing there generally wouldn't be a header there. Best get some professional advice, if your not sure.

Around here there are headers on everything, even wood partition walls without a ceiling.
I guess its faster to build and easier to do them all rather than just some of them

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