Is this a support piece?

Sia@South 47th
by Sia@South 47th
Hi! We are wondering if this 'header' is a support piece? We'd like to demo the weird triangle counter thing, but are stumped if the 'header' is supporting the ceiling.
Thank you in advance for your help!
Is this 'header' a support piece?
  14 answers
  • Cyndi Moore Tippett Cyndi Moore Tippett on Apr 11, 2013
    It looks like there should be a post holding the corner up!!!! A header like this is supposed to be supported on both ends. This looks like a proper header spanning an open space, but MISSING the other post or wall. Honestly this looks frightening to me without the other end being supported by something (wall joist, column, post).
  • Not enough info, but just looking at it I got to agree with @Cyndi Moore Tippett - We would need to see & know what's above, the rest of the framing, what's underneath, etc...
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Apr 12, 2013
    It could be ...I have seen some were they are cantilevered out from another area...but normally not that far. You should have a qualified inspector come take a peek. You may be able to remove it ...it would depend on other "load" factors like joist span, what is above ( this look like it may be in a basement. often these "soffits" are built to contain plumbing . wiring and duct work....You need to see if these are behind this. It would not make any sense to open it up only to find that you need to put it back to cover up the duct run that is right behind.
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on Apr 12, 2013
    @Cyndi Moore Tippett, @SLS Construction Solutions, @KMS Woodworks. Thank YOU! Ok, I'll snap some additional pics and post them! Thank you all so much!
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on Apr 12, 2013
    Load Bearing??
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on Apr 12, 2013
    Load Bearing? A "Before" the previous owners stuff was removed picture
  • It looks more like an architectural detail, but once again what is above it - another story / wall / trusses / rafters - these are the questions where we are not playing coy but really need to physically look at everything
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on Apr 12, 2013
    Load bearing? THe structure after the paneling was removed and before the drywall.
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on Apr 12, 2013
    @SLS Construction Solutions Hi! Kurt went up in the attic, and couldn't snap a pic, but I'll have him try it again. He said there is insulation covering everything up there.
  • He doesn't really have to worry about uncovering everything, just snap a few pics of the roof framing - if it is trusses then you are more than likely safe.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Apr 13, 2013
    Above this...the overall span of some ceiling joist will have the "lapped splice" over a load wall...like in this pic
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on Apr 17, 2013
    @SLS Construction Solution, @KMS Woodwork Thank you so much! It is 'Load Bearing', unfortunately. So we will have to live with it for awhile doggone it. Thank you for helping us avoid a HUGE disaster!! xo
  • Sorry about that & my pleasure - about the only option now is to bring in an engineer to design &/or a contractor with extensive knowledge and experience & have them put a beam above & tie into it. Then you can remove what is below (oops, just saw the location - as you are in Cali, the engineer will be mandatory)
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on Apr 17, 2013
    @SLS Construction Solutions Yeppers, and unfortunately that isn't in the budget right now. So we are stuck with the weird thing LOL!!!