Walls and Ceilings - Removing shower partition wall - load bearing?

Hi-

I am looking to eliminate the shower partition from my small bathroom.

This second floor bathroom has an empty attic up top, and a kitchen below. The wall where the water supply comes up (look at the shower head) is sitting on a partition wall below (separating the kitchen and the dining room).


http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2007/showerpartition.jpg


When the drywall was removed, I noticed the builder framed the shower basin using a 2x10 header along with multiple 2x4 columns? I am looking to eliminate these partitions to increase the usable shower space.

Based on how the ceiling joists are run, and the fact that there is no weight in the attic area, what is your opinion about removing these members? My concern is that these somehow to carry some load based on the materials used.

Because he used a solid load bearing header, you cannot remove it. The stud/trimmer wood on the ends of the header bear down through the floor below to the crawl or basement. The header may have a support to the roof structure on it.

1. What is the ceiling joist span? What size are the joists?

2. Could you post a picture of the space over the header?

3. How close are the exterior walls? Be safe, G

Just because someone framed a header doesn't necessarily mean that it does anything. That being said It's worth some further investigation to see if it actually does do something.

Check it out further like GBR suggests but I doubt It has any structural significance.

Hi-

Thanks for the reply. Here is what I found out:


1. What is the ceiling joist span? What size are the joists?

They are 2x6 lumber. Each joist spans approx. 12' (from center of the house to the exterior wall)


2. Could you post a picture of the space over the header?

I don't have the pix yet, but the insulation you see is the only thing that is up in the attic.


3. How close are the exterior walls? Be safe, G

The header wall is approximately 5 ft away from the exterior wall

Thanks!

Hey Coops-

Thanks for your comment. Yes, I agree with your assessment, especially since during my kitchen remodel, I removed a laundry closet that had similar header that was determined to be none load bearing. I guess wood was more plentiful back in 1966?

I decided to spend $120 to get a structural engineer's opinion today so I will report back with a definitive result.



Just because someone framed a
header doesn't necessarily mean that it does anything. That being said It's worth some further investigation to see if it actually does do something.

Check it out further like GBR suggests but I doubt It has any structural significance.

Hi Everyone-

I just spent $120 for a 10 min inspection by a structural engineer.

He confirmed that the shower partition wall WAS NOT load bearing and therefore, was safe to remove.

Lot of money for 10 minutes but at least I will have a peace of mind and a report I can hand into my township's permit.

Thanks for all your help!