Are these posts/studs safe to remove?


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Old 08-07-18, 01:45 PM
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Are these posts/studs safe to remove?

Hello!

I've seen a few similar posts to this but I'm a newby and wanted to get some feedback for my own specific situation.

I want to remove the top part of the wall that separates a big 2-level closet from the rest of the room, to provide easier access to the upper storage area. Having removed a section of drywall, I've found a few studs/posts which I would like to remove. I've indicated them in order of priority: 1 most important to remove, 3 least important. I assume a similar arrangement of studs/posts exists on the right-hand side of the opening. Can you tell me if this is safe to do? I live on the top floor of a triplex in Montreal built around 1900.

Thanks in advance,

Jeremy.
 
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Old 08-07-18, 02:03 PM
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You would think so... there is no header above it. But you haven't seen or told us what's in the ceiling above, so we can't be 100% sure. If those ceiling joists are parallel to the closet wall then yes, it can definitely all come out.
 
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Old 08-08-18, 09:52 AM
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Much thanks for the prompt reply XSleeper! I got my hands on a stud finder and sadly, it looks like the ceiling joists are perpendicular to the closet wall, not parallel.
 
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Old 08-08-18, 11:01 AM
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That doesn't necessarily mean the wall is load bearing. I still don't think it is. The back wall might be but not the front wall.
 
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Old 08-08-18, 11:06 AM
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Good to know! Can you think of any reliable way to check? Do I have to consult a structural engineer or building inspector, or is there a cheaper, DIY way?
 
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Old 08-08-18, 11:10 AM
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Not without making a hole in the ceiling. Consulting an engineer on this would really be overkill. A 2x2 wall should NEVER be load bearing, so that would be my final answer.
 
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Old 08-08-18, 12:56 PM
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Ok, thanks again for your input XSleeper. I'm gonna at least have a structure-savvy friend take a look at in before I proceed -- newby jitters!
 
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Old 08-08-18, 05:58 PM
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PLOT TWIST!

After cutting a few holes (not all shown here) and fishing around, and using my stud finder more, I have come to learn that what I thought were joists were in fact just some kind of superficial support beams - possibly "ceiling strapping" - that were perpendicular to the joists and about 2.5" wide X 3/4" tall; the joists themselves were about 11" tall (I could not ascertain their width), and in fact parallel to the closet wall! So I guess the wall can be safely (partially) taken down.

Thanks again for your feedback!
 
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Old 08-08-18, 07:14 PM
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Yep, Canada is famous for doing ceilings like that.

 
 

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