Is this wall structural?

[ps2cho]

This wall that “hides” the water heater in the garage.

I need to remove it so the new heat pump water heater can go there (needs the space).

No structural engineer here…but does this look safe to chop down so I can use the space to enlarge the water heater platform?

I assume it’s NOT structural and just for visual appeal? Want to double check with you all…
If it all clear, would you recommend I just cut the 2x4’s flush with the platform and ceiling and patch the drywall? For the platform I will add some vertical braces as needed for the edge.

thanks!

 

[mm08822]

Too hard to tell from this pic alone.
Whats above?
Roof type and direction?

Can you see the ceiling joists above? Do they span across this wall or does the wall support shorter joists that tie together over this wall?

 

[nadogail]

Not enough information to make a definitive decision. Do any joists land on the wall?

A review of the building prints should answer your questions.

 

[Shiftless]

I don’t know about the wall, but you won’t have any problem staying cool with all the cold air coming from that new water heater in addition to your mini split AC.

 

[Bunsen Honeydew]

You really need to know what is going on above the ceiling to make the determination.

 

[ps2cho]

Not enough information to make a definitive decision. Do any joists land on the wall?

A review of the building prints should answer your questions.

There is no attic space - it has a sloping roof over the garage. Would you suggest the best way is cut a small hole next to it and see?

I would imagine the joists end on the outer wall (which is the edge of the house to the outside)

 

[bluedog225]

You are a bit over your head. No offense.

Try drawing a picture. Include the roof slope.

Or more photos. Can you get up in the attic.

 

[larry4406]

Maybe some pics from further back looking at that wall. Then some from outside showing how the roof pitches relative to that wall?

Google earth for aerial view?

 

[firebirdparts]

Hard to say, but probably not. Just grasp here that the ends of the joists and rafters over your head sit on something. That's where the weight is. If a knowledgable person looks at the shape of the building, it's usually super obvious.

Joists for a floor are usually going to reach about 12-14 feet. If a building is 30 feet wide, then there are more joist ends in the middle of the building. That is something you just have to get used to. 90% of homes are about that wide for about that reason with about that result. Joists for a ceiling are a lot different situation. You can have a self-supporting ceiling and roof structure that goes very far.

 

[PCustoms]

This wall that “hides” the water heater in the garage.

I need to remove it so the new heat pump water heater can go there (needs the space).

No structural engineer here…but does this look safe to chop down so I can use the space to enlarge the water heater platform?

I assume it’s NOT structural and just for visual appeal? Want to double check with you all…
If it all clear, would you recommend I just cut the 2x4’s flush with the platform and ceiling and patch the drywall? For the platform I will add some vertical braces as needed for the edge.

thanks!

Extremely unlikely to be structural, but you need to see framing above it to be sure.

Any idea how the roof is framed?

 

[ps2cho]

You are a bit over your head. No offense.

Try drawing a picture. Include the roof slope.

Or more photos. Can you get up in the attic.

I’m not building a structure here…. I’m asking on what I need to do to determine if it’s structural. If it’s structural I won’t deal with it.

Exterior:

 

[bluedog225]

Great attitude. You are doing something that can get you hurt. And you don’t understand the basics. In some respects, more dangerous than building.

Hope things go ok.

 

[PCustoms]

Great attitude. You are doing something that can get you hurt. And you don’t understand the basics. In some respects, more dangerous than building.

Hope things go ok.

Coming after the op a little strong, aren't you?

Thread 'Panel question' https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/panel-question.549212/

 

[larry4406]

My hunch says not structural.

That long walk (perpendicular to your offensive wing wall) appears to stack just perfect with exterior 2nd floor wall above. You can check this with a tape measure.

What does exterior roof line look like on the right side of garage facing the garage door? You only provided left side roof image.

 

[ps2cho]

Great attitude. You are doing something that can get you hurt. And you don’t understand the basics. In some respects, more dangerous than building.

Hope things go ok.

I dont know what your problem is...If i showed you an image that I already removed it all, THEN asked if it was structural you'd have a reasonable complaint. I havent done anything yet, so I dont understand why you are acting like an A hole?

My hunch says not structural.

That long walk (perpendicular to your offensive wing wall) appears to stack just perfect with exterior 2nd floor wall above. You can check this with a tape measure.

What does exterior roof line look like on the right side of garage facing the garage door? You only provided left side roof image.

Comes down the exact same on the other side of the standard 2 car garage.

 

[larry4406]

I dont know what your problem is...If i showed you an image that I already removed it all, THEN asked if it was structural you'd have a reasonable complaint. I havent done anything yet, so I dont understand why you are acting like an A hole?


Comes down the exact same on the other side of the standard 2 car garage.

Use your tape measure to confirm the wall perpendicular to your offensive wing wall stacks with above.

Cut a small hole at ceiling at wing wall to confirm nothing odd. I’m betting there is a ledger of sorts on the 2nd floor wall above to receive the roof framing.

Assuming above is good, sawzall time..,,

 

[bluedog225]

Coming after the op a little strong, aren't you?

Thread 'Panel question' https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/panel-question.549212/

Yeah. I was told I didn’t know enough to mess with it. I said ok. And thanks.

This forum in particular is no place for thin skin.

I didn’t ask how to cut a hole in sheetrock.

Peace. I’m out.

 

[PCustoms]

I didn’t ask how to cut a hole in sheetrock.

Neither did the op, he asked for help determining if the wall is structural so that he can remove it.

Just like in your thread, people are asking for more information, and once that's provided we'll tell them if it is or if it isn't.

I'm assuming if we determine it's structural the op is going to back off from removing the wall. If not then maybe some criticism is warranted but not right off the bat..

 

[Dig Doug]

I would use a 3 inch hole saw and drill 2 holes get a flash light and look up reach up and see if that wing wall has anything stacked on top,of it. Make sure your in the correct bay, use a stud finder in you have one.

I believe that wing wall is there to hide the WH from view

Save the 3 inch cut outs to patch the holes you made.

your going to have to patch/ paint the drywall if you remove the wall

 

[whateg01]

I would use a 3 inch hole saw and drill 2 holes get a flash light and look up reach up and see if that wing wall has anything stacked on top,of it. Make sure your in the correct bay, use a stud finder in you have one.

I would get a tape measure out and see how far back the second story wall is. It's probably the same as the back wall of the garage, making it the structural wall.

 

[bluedog225]

Neither did the op, he asked for help determining if the wall is structural so that he can remove it.

Just like in your thread, people are asking for more information, and once that's provided we'll tell them if it is or if it isn't.

I'm assuming if we determine it's structural the op is going to back off from removing the wall. If not then maybe some criticism is warranted but not right off the bat..

Sigh. I guess I’m back.

yes he did. Read the thread.

Look. I don’t believe op understands framing. What a top plate is. That a board may be spliced over what appears to be a non structural wall for whatever reason, whether it was done correctly, or how to decide. What to do if he picks up a live wire when cutting a hole in the sheetrock. Is that hot water closet under the first floor or second floor? Is that a heavy roof-looks like it might be.

That’s why I said “You are a bit over your head. No offense. ”.

If that was too rough or ***-hole-ish, I’m sorry.

There’s a certain basic understanding he will need of what is holding up the building to evaluate what he’s looking at. Sometimes, being told not to mess with it is good advice.

I hope it all goes well.

 

[Dig Doug]

Another thing to do is ask neighbors with the same floor plan if they removed the wing wall…

 

[d.mcfarland]

There is no way that is structural. Looks like it was made purposefully to hide the water heater or whatever was originally in the corner.

 

[no704]

Peel off the drywall and remove the vertical studs by hand. If it doesn’t move it’s load bearing. Highly doubt it.

 

[PCustoms]

Peel off the drywall and remove the vertical studs by hand. If it doesn’t move it’s load bearing. Highly doubt it.

Well now...

If it's not vertical, is it a stud?

If it was load bearing and things collapse, then what?

 

[Codyboy]

There is no attic space - it has a sloping roof over the garage. Would you suggest the best way is cut a small hole next to it and see?

I would imagine the joists end on the outer wall (which is the edge of the house to the outside)

Has to be some attic space(possibly not usable for storage) because you have a pitched roof and a flat ceiling in the garage.

 

[no704]

Well now...

If it's not vertical, is it a stud?

If it was load bearing and things collapse, then what?

If it’s load bearing you should not be able to move it by hand? Have another beer PC. I am

 

[Codyboy]

Garage roof where it ties into 2nd story wall in pic looks like it out goes back about 10 maybe 12 ft from the front.
Say the garage is 20ft deep then that hot water heater wall would be about 16 or 17 ft back.
Right under the support for the 2nd story.

 

[ps2cho]

cut back more of the drywall - the vertical 2x4 stops here:

This image is where the wall I want to remove meets the ceiling:

 

[DennisK59]

That looks like fire block, the stub wall for the enclosure only looks to add a short coat rack, does not even go with the rafter layout.

 

[ps2cho]

Fire blocked confirmed then? All clear to sawzall!?

 

[Codyboy]

Might as well rip all the sheet rock off thay area of the ceiling and see what if anything is sitting on the top plate.

 

[Codyboy]

What are you going to do with those wires?

 

[ps2cho]

What are you going to do with those wires?

They are for the door bell, I’ll move it to the next wall, not a big deal.

 

[mikedodge]

Unless they had planned on a door it's kind of a pointless wall for visual reasons too when you can still see the water heater.

Pull the rest of the drywall off, then you'll have a better idea what's going on. If it's not structural you can pull the framing if it is structural at least you have more space to work with not closed in or it'll help figure out how to it could possibly be modified.

If it is structural it was probably drywalled in for some fire rating being in a garage.

 

[ps2cho]

Updates - think I’m clear:
It’s not even together at the top…

 

[ps2cho]

Even more fun…the builders didn’t even support the back of the water heater platform. Not a single vertical support

Nails and hopes and dreams I guess?

 

[Old Man Roger]

What the hell was the point of that wall?

 

[ps2cho]

What the hell was the point of that wall?

Maybe to sell special tall sized water heaters…and hide the hideous nature. Who wants the plebs thinking we have to “heat” water. Pretty sure it just comes out hot from the earths core.

 

[mike93lx]

Yeah, I'd say you are good to go. That is just a partition