I'm helping a friend do some remodeling and we found a "blind header" in the attic. Beneath it (slightly offset to one side), is a wall he wishes to remove to open up a great room. Does the "blind header" allow removal of the wall beneath it?
Thanks.
Hal
I'm not sure I'm following the description at all and then it boils down to the details. Blind header is a new term to me, is this a flush girder... a built up beam with the attic joists coming in to it perpendicular from each side? If so then it depends, if it is sized to carry the load and is adequately supported then probably.
http://bigplanslittlebudget.blogspot.com/2013/08/kitchen-wall-demo-blind-header.html
The above link shows the blind header. Sometimes also called an attic header, sometimes called an attic or blind beam.
It appears to me that the header is to prevent the sagging of the ceiling joist portions of the trusses. It accomplishes what a "visible" header does above an opening such as a window.
Would the blind header allow for the removal of a wall beneath it?
Does this clarify the situation for anyone?
Thanks.
So if I understand correctly, the posted link is showing what has already been done? The wall that used to support the non continuous but end lapped ceiling joists has been removed. The ceiling joists are now hanging from a constructed beam that is a couple of 2x10's (??).
It appears the ceiling joists are hung from nailed on "scabs" of 2x material. If the beam ends are well supported and if those supports carry through down to whatever is underneath and are also well supported it could work. :-\ :-\
First thing to check is the beam capacity against the proposed beam load with the wall removed. Then the beam supports, then the ceiling joist to beam connections.
Like so;
Area supported by beam? (is there storage in the attic or just ceiling self weight?)
That is calculated from these;
Span of beam?
Spans of ceiling joists?
Then check the beam, you already have its' span, you'll also need to know;
What are the dimensions, species, and grade of the beam?
If it checks out then look at the support conditions;
Is the beam supported on each end by something adequate for the load?
If it's still looking good check the attachment;
Are the cleat(s) connections adequate for each joist's load?
I see nothing in that that couldn't be made to work, the devil is in the details. It is impossible to say if it will work in this instance from the information given but that is the basic path for checking it.
Thanks for the comments, people. The wall below the attic header has not been removed yet... just stripped of sheetrock. If I can get a pic from my friend perhaps I can post it. It might say something which helps us out in understanding the attic header. In the end, my friend will have a contractor inspect it all and then advise him as to what to do.
I've tried to "insert image" of this wall we are talking about removing and it's a jpeg file, so what am I doing wrong?
Sorry to have to ask this, but when I click on "insert image" the html "(//)" like that comes up and I try to place the copied image in between, it ain't happenin'.
Help. Thanks.
You have your image hosted somewhere, right?
(That is, you're not trying to just upload it here, because that won't work...)
http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=11663.0