These aren't load bearing... right? right?

[K04GTI]

So my house has steps up to the front porch which is made of concrete. Underneath this porch is a closet that is off of my storage room in the basement. Here is pictures of what this closet looks like.

The closet

Standing in the doorway looking right

Standing in the doorway looking up

Standing in the middle looking left

Standing in the middle looking left/down

Here's from the outside, just so you understand where it is at

Ok, so my thought is these are just supports while they were pouring the concrete porch. I hope I can just take a hammer and knock these down because they are in my way. These can't be load bearing right? I mean one of them is sitting on a flimsy piece of wood, and they have like 1 nail holding them in place, and they are tilted at an angle?

It doesn't look like anything is holding up the beam that these 2 posts are supporting. I suppose that will come down with the posts. Why is the left side of the closet framed in as a wall, but the right side of the closet isn't? Is it because the concrete overhangs the block on that side? is it not supported on the left side nearest the house without that wall?

Anyway.. I knocked on the wood a bit and it does seem to slide, I bet I could just hammer the bottom out and take them out. I just wanted to ask a few people that knew better than me before I did it.

So can I?

 

[D.J.]

So lets look at the top of the porch floor is it wood or poured concrete abour 3 1/2 " thick?

 

[K04GTI]

So lets look at the top of the porch floor is it wood or poured concrete abour 3 1/2 " thick?

The porch is just concrete, about 3.5 " thick. Underneath it is plywood as seen in the pictures. The slab would seem to extend over the block wall.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

You're asking if the OSB and that framing is a "lost deck" -except in THIS case, it isn't "lost" at all. It's acessible and easily COULD have been removed by the concrete contractor...so why didn't he remove it? FRankly, it LOOKS like it is way too poorly framed to be structural, but then again I've got to say I'm not all that impressed with it as forming either!

Before you stand under that and take a sledge hammer to it, I'd consult a Professional Strucutral Engineer that can look at it in person rather than a bunch of strangers on the internet. Not that I don't trust these guys - I do. But it's your head/health/life.

 

[RivennHewn]

Measure the inside dimension of the closet. Then measure the slab outside. If the slab is 16" (+/-) longer, then the slab is fully supported by the block walls.

 

[K04GTI]

Measure the inside dimension of the closet. Then measure the slab outside. If the slab is 16" (+/-) longer, then the slab is fully supported by the block walls.

So as long as the concrete is resting on the foundation walls it can support itself? I can't see how it wouldn't be able to.. I mean it's concrete.. I'll measure to see if that gives me any more insight.

 

[welder4956]

Any way to tell if there is rebar in the concrete? I would worry about it cracking and falling through if there is no rebar. Any way to get in touch with the builder?

 

[NUTTSGT]

I see straw down tryin got get grass to grow. If this is a new build, I suggest you call the contractor who built the home and inquire with him.

 

[Lotek]

I see straw down tryin got get grass to grow. If this is a new build, I suggest you call the contractor who built the home and inquire with him.

I agree, probably a contractor's helper forgot to clean up, but...

 

[larry_g]

Are you in a subdivision that has other houses with the same porch feature? If so check out what those houses have below the porch. Check with the building department that signed off on the plans. They should have plans on file that would specify what is in that porch floor. As others have said, try to get the builder back to check it out.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[K04GTI]

I'm not in a subdivision with similar houses, this was a one-off house in an older area. That picture with the straw down is 3 years old.

The builder and I are not on the best terms after some water issues flooded my basement 2x due to some poor drainage (the rain spouts were buried about 3 feet into the ground on the side of the hill, and the foundation drain ended beside the retaining wall under some concrete stairs with clay soil). That issue I believe has been fixed well enough to not cause problems, but in the back in forth there was some lawyer threats etc.

 

[ms fowler]

Still, there should be a set of plans on file with the local Building Official. Check those plans. I would be shocked if that slab was not capable a staying there w/o those "supports".

 

[Bib Overalls]

The use of pressure treated materials for the plates, studs, and ledgers tells me those members are intended to be permanent and I would not remove them. The same for the OSB. I think I see a strong back beam (two 2"x4" boards nailed together, one vertical and one horizontal). It also looks like the vertical support that intrudes into the interior space was a temporary expedient to shore up the strong back when the concrete was curing.

Does the strong back extend the full width of the porch? Is the strong back supported at the end walls? Do you hear a hollow sound or see any movement when you tap on the OSB from below? If yes, and the house was mine, I would remove the intrusive supports and leave the rest in place.

 

[K04GTI]

Those two 2x4's that are together in a T shape, which I think you are calling a "strong back" is not supported on either end. The only thing that supports it is the 2 posts in question. I haven't tapped on the OSB, I can check that out.

 

[K04GTI]

The slab is 10'x5' and inside the room it is 9' wide

 

[Outlawmws]

The use of pressure treated materials for the plates, studs, and ledgers tells me those members are intended to be permanent and I would not remove them. The same for the OSB. I think I see a strong back beam (two 2"x4" boards nailed together, one vertical and one horizontal). It also looks like the vertical support that intrudes into the interior space was a temporary expedient to shore up the strong back when the concrete was curing.

Does the strong back extend the full width of the porch? Is the strong back supported at the end walls? Do you hear a hollow sound or see any movement when you tap on the OSB from below? If yes, and the house was mine, I would remove the intrusive supports and leave the rest in place.

Your seeing something I'm not... That looks like ordinary lumber to me.

The crossbar the semi "T post" is supporting, you have not shown the ends. are the ends of the cross piece supported? If so, how? (Pics please)

I'm assuming the only thing that is in the way is the "T post"?

 

[djkeev]

I'd rip it out but I don't over think things all that much.

If in doubt, build a new vertical post about 1/2" shorter than the current height. Keeping that new post vertical, whack out the old one, any thing move? I doubt that it did move but you've probably just discovered it was temporary bracing, now go ahead and remove the rest of the unneeded wood.

Dave

 

[davedriveschevys]

If that is meant to be permanent, then that is some crappy workmanship. Most likely just the form for the pour. But the pressure treated wall gives me pause. That seems to be built to stay.

 

[Rust]

Looks like temporary supports to me..

..then again what do I know?

 

[bgott]

I can't see two-by's laid flat being load bearing. If I stepped my 280# self in the middle of one of those it would break.

 

[Bib Overalls]

As I look at the pictures I'm more and more inclined to think the "strong back" and posts were added from below to hold the weight of the concrete in it's plastic state and are serving no practical purpose now. It looks like all three were simply tacked in from below and shimmed tight. Since the shims are easy to move I'm thinking they are not carrying a load. Take the shims out first. Then the posts. Watch your head. I only saw one nail holding the strong back in position.

 

[K04GTI]

Well the posts are gone now. No problems removing them. 2-3 hits with a hammer and the bottoms came out easily. 2-3 hits with the hammer and the 1 nail at the top of each post was removed. I left the "strong back" in place, it's probably held up there by a few nails, but it isn't in my way. Thanks guys

 

[Herb]

I'd build a steel support frame for the roof and tie it into a steel door frame and make a safe room.

 

[Drewstang]

Waterproof, insulate, steel dor, and you got a nice built in safe.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'd build a steel support frame for the roof and tie it into a steel door frame and make a safe room.

+1 !

Those "joist" don't have much structural support because the are installed the wrong way. Also they are rest on a support that is just power nailed/screwed into the block. Again that would not carry much load.

At a minimum I would run some PT 2x4 from a footer up to that "top plate".


Safe room is an even better idea !

 

[buzz4041]

Why not frame up that wall like the other one's just like theoldwizard said. Few sticks of 2 x 4's and a couple hours and its done. Then you can alway's finish out the room.

 

[K04GTI]

Actually I like the safe room idea... I want to finish the storage room someday and finish the closet. Put a steel door on it and make it a tornado shelter perhaps... we do get tornadoes here every few years

 

[djkeev]

If you are going to make a storm / safe room with a steel door....
Swing the door INTO the room lest debris fall and block any outward swing. If that were to happen, it would quickly turn from a safe room into a tomb!

Dave

 

[jim hallman]

The OSB should be removed as well, as over time the moisture from the concrete will create a lot of mould issues.

 

[camarotoolman]

all the is temporary forms. They should have demoed them before they were payed. Use the lumber to make some shelves or something.

 

[Rust]

If you are going to make a storm / safe room with a steel door....
Swing the door INTO the room lest debris fall and block any outward swing. If that were to happen, it would quickly turn from a safe room into a tomb!

Dave

Your logic is sound...and well thought out.

 

[camarotoolman]

It might be too damp to store much in. Sorm shelter is a great idea. Wish I had someplace to hid from huricanes!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Your seeing something I'm not... That looks like ordinary lumber to me.

The 2x4 tap conned to the wall and the studded wall appear to be PT, the short rafters and temp vertical posts are regular kiln dried.