Walls and Ceilings - load bearing walls

HI,

I WANT TO REMOVE 57 INCHES IN WIDTH AND 39 1/2 INCHES FROM THE HEADER DOWN TO THE COUNTER TOP OF THE WALL BETWEEN MY KITCHEN AND LIVING ROOM TO OPEN UP THE TWO ROOMS. DOES THE HEADER IN THE DOOR WAY FOLLOW THE ENTIRE WALL? AND IF I LEAVE THE EXISTING HEADER WILL THAT BE ENOUGH NOT TO CAUSE ANY SUPPORT PROBLEMS, IS THAT THE BEST WAY TO DO IT?

THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME,
JULES

Depending on the door size the header is probably only extending 11/2 to 3 inches past each side of the doorway. If the opening you are suggesting includes the doorway I mean 57 inches plus the width of the doorway you will probably need to increase the header size. This can be determined by checking your local codes. You will need to remove the cripples above the header of the doorway to keep he height of the doorway the same. Then create the rough opening by making the width wide enough to have at least 2 jack studs for the new header to sit on. Fill any space between the header and top plate with new cripples 16 inches on center drywall then finish. Good Luck:D

Good advice!

Thanks Coops....:D