Thinking over the next step of deconstruction

Friday, April 29: I spent a good hour or so this morning probing the wall above the window to figure out what sort of bracing I will need up at the top-plate – to keep the ceiling/roof-edge from sagging – while I am deconstructing everything below.



The 6" x 6" beam above the window is called a "header." It appears to be sagging ever-so-slightly, an event that most likely occurred gradually over the 20-year-life of the house.  Still, in my limited construction experience, I have never encountered such a flimsy header.  The header supports the studs above it.  The sheer weight from the roof/ceiling is transferred down through the studs onto the beam.

On close examination, the top-wall-plate is also sagging slightly.  I put a level under it and I'd estimate about 1/8" of sag across the 6-foot opening.  This makes sense:  If the beam is sagging, the wall-plate above it isn't supported adequately. Therefore, it too sags.

I figured it was ok to knock out all but the center two studs, which are taking the brunt of the weight.



Once I knocked out the studs with a hammer and crowbar, I decided to experiment with a car floor jack.  I wanted to see if I could jack the top plate back up slightly – because I desire to not only install a new window, but also to improve the framing above it.

I placed one end of the jack onto the header and the other onto a strong ladder.  I cut a scrap of lumber and put it between the jack and the top-wall-plate.

I was, indeed, able to jack the top-plate up slightly.  However, doing so further deflected downward the beam that the jack is resting on.



Based on these tests, I have decided that before I tear anything more out, I need to brace the upper wall plate. While there is absolutely no danger of the roof collapsing, I don't want any more sagging while I tear all the supports out and reframe the window opening.

My intention is to devise some sort of angular support – like the posts on a kid's swing set – that will support the top-wall-plate by temporarily transferring the shear weight down to the floor – and also perhaps to the sidewalk on the outside.  I need to build the braces in such a way that they don't interfere with my deconstruction/reconstruction.