We have a covered deck that was added onto the house. We have taken down the paneled ceiling because it felt really low, and we are wondering if we can take down the ceiling joists since there are 3 2×6 rafters just above them plus the roof above. There is a 2×4 that runs the middle (parallel to the floor) that had the wiring for the ceiling fan attached to it. We’re not going to replace the fan since it was used so little (we’re in Missouri). I’m not sure what the vertical 2×4 really does that runs from the peak down to the 2×6. It doesn’t look like it’s tied in at least from the bottom. The deck is about 14×16.
I’ve called a couple of structural engineers to come out and take a look, but I haven’t heard back after a few weeks. I fear my job is too small for them to bother, and I don’t want to go ahead and find out one day the whole thing has collapsed.
Thank you for advice you may have.
Replies
Iowa, can you stand back and sohow gat a pic of more of the structure.
Thanks
Sorry about that. The space is big enough to enjoy but small enough to get a good picture. Let me know if there is a better spot I can take a picture of or from. Thank you again.
What you need is to hold the walls from spreading if you remove the ceiling joists. Here in NW Ohio we can use “rafter ties” to do the job. Some jurisdictions will require a rafter tie across every other pair of rafters while others want every pair. These can be 1/3 above the wall plate, no higher. How you tie them to the rafter is with structural screws or bolts, washers, and nuts.
The local inspection bureau can help you with the amount and pattern. Nails generally are rejected.
Never having encountered a hip in this scenario I cannot advise. They might want you to tie the end wall rafters at least partially back to one of your other ties.
Are you working in an area of inspection?
Yes we do live in an area of inspection. I just read through their permit information and application for the construction and/or remodeling of a deck, an they follow the 2012 IRC.
I suppose I'll email them and see what they have to say.
Thank you for your help.
They may just advise to save you time and money.
Did you plan to leave the above open?
Just for reference, if a ridge BEAM and supports below was installed, all ceiling joists could have been removed. Not a ridge board but a structural member meant to take roof load.
Yes I do want to leave it open. I was hoping we could just leave the 3 2x6s above the ceiling joists, but I'll talk to the county. We're in an unincorporated area of our county, and they're pretty laid back. They looked at a couple of things for us 2 years ago when we bought the house. They seemed to take the path of least resistance.
Measure up from the bottom of your existing joists to the ridge. See where those other cross ties are in relation to that 1/3 distance up from the top of the wall plate. Take that info and how many and location with you.
Pictures and drawings with accurate dimensions never hurt around here.
Here’s a link to one I built a few years ago. Got no travel deduction, house at end of our 500 drive. Shouldn’t have backed home.
http://www.quittintime.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/12865/an/0/page/0#Post12865