I recently purchased my first property and am living in one half as I fix up the building. The building had three old A/C units installed in a wall under the windows. I’ve removed all the units however one unit appears to have been leaking into the wall for some time and now I have some rot repair. (See picture)
This unit was located in the middle of two standard (~36″) windows that are side by side. The wall is 2×4 framing with double studs on each side of the windows. Between the two windows is another double stud that terminates above the framed A/C opening. Is the double stud between the windows load-bearing or is there a single header above that is holding the entire 6′ section (Both windows)?
I’ve asked two friends who have a good deal of building experience and they feel it isn’t load-bearing however I’m still unsure to just remove the rotted framing without building a support wall.
Any thoughts or methods to confirm things would be much appreciated!
Replies
You will have to remove the drywall above the window to determine how the header is configured, if you want to be certain. Make sure it is the right size to span the whole opening.
I would guess a single header above the windows. the double stud between the windows is not properly supported below to carry loads from above.
you can cut a small hole in the drywall above the middle of the header to verify.
Thank you @deftandlevel and @UncleMike42 for your replies. I'm back on this project again and cut a small bit of drywall from the middle section of the header in question.
The header appears to be a single timber as I see no joint and it measures about 7". With that I'm assuming is it is double 2x8 running the full 6' distance. Should that be enough?
Yes.
And when you reframe the area under, place a stud directly below the double to the new plate. You can work on your beetle above if a 2 story.
Perfect. So I do not need to build any temporary support when I cut out the rotted section because that header is already supporting all the weight over the entire 6' span?
I would not, just level that plate under the windows and while opened up, recheck level/plumb of the windows. Reshim if necessary and check operation.