Can someone help me convert my half bath to a 3/4 bath by combining it with the laundry room, specifically regarding the unusual placement of the 2x4s in the wall?
Asked by Radana Kotovskiy 
2 months ago
Last Updated: October 15, 2024
Hey everyone, I could really use some assistance. I’m in the process of converting my downstairs half bath into a 3/4 bath by combining it with the laundry room. I plan to have a stackable washer and dryer on one side and a shower on the other. Today, I took down all the drywall from the wall I’ll be removing. I’ve been assured it’s not a load-bearing wall, but could you please take a look at how the 2x4s were arranged? They seem a bit off to me. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I’ve attached the floor plan and some pictures of the 2x4s in question. Thank you all for your time and assistance!
It seems okay. Maybe tear it out
Hey , thanks a bunch!
I’m not sure if it’s load bearing without knowing the direction of the ceiling joists
Hey, I stumbled upon some old photos from before I completed the renovation of the family room above the garage. This particular photo shows the area above the bathroom. I apologize for the poor angle and quality, but you can clearly see how the roof and ceiling joists align with the wall I’m planning to take down.
Check out this other photo of the space right above the bathroom and laundry room. I’ll attempt to upload the pictures from my computer. They should look better that way! The only things above that area are wires and hvac venting.
Hey , you’re all set then I’d recommend using joist clips on the top plate to connect to the joist when removing the old wall on the right side while in the bathroom
Gotcha! I’ll take care of it! Thanks a bunch!!! Your help is really appreciated!
Could you please show me the complete floor plan of the house?
I don’t think it’s load bearing, but looking at the entire floor plan would provide a clearer picture
Hey, checking in on the 1st floor
Hey, it’s and this is the 2nd floor
Hey , it’s not meant to support any weight.
Wow, I really appreciate it!
A big thank you to everyone!!
It’s hard to determine without inspecting the joists above the wall. It might look a bit unusual because they needed to create nailers for the sheetrock on both sides of the wall near the ceiling.
That explanation from totally clicks! Appreciate it!
I went up to the attic and snapped a photo of the area above the wall!
Denise McCuistion is not convinced that the wall is load bearing as the joists run parallel to it.
It looks like a 2×3 wall, which is not meant to support any weight.
I really appreciate your help!
Just to give you a heads-up, typically the joists are installed across the shorter span of the building.
When there is no wall above, no wall below, and the ceiling joists are parallel with the wall you plan to take out, that wall is non-load bearing. You can go ahead and tear it down.
Sure, you can remove the wall marked with an ‘x’.
The photos only display the top plate and backer for securing the drywall. It doesn’t seem to be load bearing. You can check the screw pattern on the ceiling rock with a magnet to confirm.
What you’re demonstrating isn’t related to load bearing. A well-framed wall consists of 3 plates – a bottom plate, a single top plate, and a double top plate. The double top plate is the one directly under the truss or joist, while the single top plate is below that. The single top plate of your wall connects with the adjacent wall, while the double top plate overlaps the adjacent wall, increasing its strength. It’s similar to Lincoln logs – just stacking lumber without overlapping wouldn’t provide much rigidity. The single top plate of the adjacent wall extends through, while the single top plate of the wall in question connects. The double top plate of the wall in question extends through, and the double top plate of the adjacent wall connects.
I just wanted to express my gratitude for your explanation. Thank you so much!
No worries. I know this might upset some people, but it’s best not to ask about structural issues in a DIY group. As a carpenter, I witness dangerous situations caused by following YouTube tutorials every day.
I wanted to thank you for sharing your perspective with me. I tried reaching out to the builder for 2 weeks but didn’t get a call back. I even contacted the realtor, who also couldn’t get through to the builder. I’m in a time crunch to finish this shower for a family member, so I was at a loss. I’m grateful for everyone here who asked for more details so I could move forward safely. The last thing I want is for my roof to collapse and leave my family without a home. Thanks again!
Based on the plans and the framing, it seems like it’s not a load-bearing wall. The joists run across the short side from the stairs to the exterior wall. If it were a load-bearing wall, there would be multiple studs at each end, meaning more than one.
I’m not sure about that. Load bearing walls may not always have double studs at the ends. You’re probably right that this wall isn’t load bearing. However, it’s hard to know for sure without seeing what’s on top of the entire wall.
Shared some images of the exposed framing.
These photos show the space right above the wall I plan on taking down.
Yep, just as I mentioned before
All set, !