Can I remove wood above 31 inch wide door?

4/5/2016 at 12:24:31 AM

Are you talking about the 4 x 2 in the pic about 24 in long?

4/5/2016 at 12:36:07 AM

Yes, it is actually 31 inches long sitting on 2 vertical 2X8.

4/5/2016 at 12:42:05 AM

The first photo is a close up of the crack and floor truss embedded above it.

4/5/2016 at 12:58:54 AM

This is a doorway through a foundation wall that is approx. 30 feet long and was part of the original foundation. As you can see there is an old floor truss going to the older section of the house and one on either side of it going to the newer section where the viewer is standing (from where pic was taken).

4/5/2016 at 8:47:09 AM

It does not sound like a good idea. A few pictures might be helpful.

Thank you,

Foundation Pros of Winnipeg Inc

Lloyd

4/5/2016 at 9:14:05 AM

Charles,

What I see are floor joist over the area, if the foundation supports them then I would check if there is a steel lintel or sufficient support over the door before removing anything (structural part). If the floor joist are supported by something else, then you should be able to remove the door header and frame. You should also remove concrete above, it will not be a structural issue, not great having cement fall on your head.

4/5/2016 at 10:41:40 AM

I would think the downward force - weight over that 31 inch span which is over the doorway opening would have to be extremely massive to have it come down. There are only 3 joists over that section. Here is a drawing of what it looks like.

4/5/2016 at 11:49:29 AM

If beam has crack there is a force that causing it...(or someone used wood lumber with a deficiency)

The picture shows that there was someone trying to make a repair, Instead you would need to replace the door header.

I advise to Hire a someone that knows how to do that and can perform a repair.

Structural Engineer can perform inspection saying why that have happen, and provide advise a legal stamp on structural integrity.

Best regards.

4/5/2016 at 4:03:58 PM

You could cut the concrete out and install a wood header same size as the concrete.

I really dont think the 2X4 is holding the whole thing together as I dont see it bowed or the crack size different on both ends.

My suggestion would be if you want to remove the 2X4, install a piece of metal that straddles the crack on both sides...usually a .25 inch plate about 16 inches long and 6 inches high will do it.. drill and anchor the plate on both sides.

4/5/2016 at 5:33:50 PM

Thank you for your suggestions gentlemen.

This gives me a couple of great alternative solutions to go with.