carpenter help please

wfw

Member
I am changing a bathtub to a shower and need some advice. where the new shower control
needs to go I have three 2x4's. they are not all placed in the same direction. it is placed
so one shows 1 1/2 inches, the middle one shows the 3 1/2 inch and the other is also
showing the 1 1/2 inch side. the are touching each other. I do not understand why. it is in
a outside wall so the wall is load bearing. can I cut out a short section of the 2x4 in the
middle for the new shower control? I hope my explanation is clear enough for you to under
stand. I am not a carpenter. this is for an additional shower control and shower head so
there will be two in the same shower. thanks in advance.

frank
 

Assuming the 2x4s are vertical it sounds as if they have been ganged together to act as a post for a heavy load on the roof or wall above . Is there an opening such as a doorway or window close by that would have a lintel over it ? This may explain the post [ if it is in fact acting as one ] as the end of the lintel would need extra support . In this case and in the absence of a photograph you may need help on site .
 
Not good to put plumbing in an outside wall unless you don't freeze. Original house could have had a wall planned that was never put in.
 
Its hard to visualize at first, but you are saying you have a 4" or 2"x4" framed "typical" exterior wall, where you want to install the shower valve, and its currently 3 studs, 2 with sides showing, middle with full 3 1/2" showing, forming a 3 sided trough if you will.

Its hard to imagine why that was done for the tub enclosure unless some previous component needed the framing like that, but that is of no consequence as I see it.

I would think that you could re-frame that area of the wall, beef up and install extra jack studs for a short header if you want that section of wall as strong or stronger than the rest. Frame it so the plumbing rough in works as needed for the valve, even if you skipped a stud or 2, moved them to each side, more than likely its plenty. Be sure to insulate the wall or pipes, being an exterior wall and if in a cold climate, its not the best scenario, but if properly insulated or thermally protected, should work fine. Usually there is an access panel or you have to break the drywall on the opposite side of the shower valve inside a wall to gain access. If you have to get in there in the future, you will be either taking the shower enclosure apart or going in through the exterior wall ?? Use care to make sure it will not freeze with limited access, if in a cold climate.

While altering any structural component without having it looked at by a a licensed professional, (architect/engineer) is not a wise thing to do in most situations, you knew enough to be careful here being a load bearing wall. Wood framing and common framing details like for a door, window, other similar opening is relatively common knowledge and would be the same for something small like this with out compromising the structure or that section of wall.
 
Sounds like a leed for a wall intersecting that wall. Is there a wall on the other side of your plumbing wall? Could have been put in while framing and the layout changed.
 
How about furring the wall out, then you could add more insulation, and add the shower control and not worry about cutting the existing wall/studs.

Dusty
 
it is like the trough that Billy NY described. I drilled a small hole and there is a second 2x4 behind the first. there is a window near, about 2 feet away. there is no wall attached to the other side. we do have a winter here but I am in the eastern end of north carolina, about four or five miles from the atlantic ocean so the winters are fairly mild. the outside is brick, if that makes any difference. I am thinking I might be alright removing a small piece of the middle 2x4 and adding screws above and below the new cut.
 
I did some more looking and measuring and this is almost directly below where a valley is for the roof. could it be to add extra support for the roof? thanks!
 
If you live in a cold climate, like I do, and only have 2x4 walls, I would turn faucets around and put them on an interior wall to prevent freezing. Or I would frame up a second wall on the outside wall locating the studs out of the way.

To answer your question, cutting one stud shouldn't hurt if you have a double top plate and plywood or osb siding. I wouldn't do it because of freezing issues.
 
Can you post a picture. I haven't had anything that couldn't be torn out and reframed. If there is something above the 2x4's are supporting you could always put in a header and frame it like a doorway.
 
sounds like a corner post for a one time wall that intersected at 90 degrees--no problem taking out the 3 1/2 wide 2x4--you may find a pipe or electrical line in there though.
 

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