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Diagonal brace left in the basement by builder. Can I remove it? Replace it?
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up vote
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I have a diagonal brace running across an interior wall in the basement, and it even goes partially into the floor concrete. Is this meant to be permanent, or was it supposed to be removed during construction?
I want to finish the basement and put drywall there, but this obviously gets in the way. What are my options for dealing with it?
(Click images for larger views.)
Nail locations. 3 nails into the beam at the top, 2 elsewhere:
basement framing structural
edited Sep 6 at 11:43
Brock Adams
2,12421426
asked Sep 5 at 13:15
Egor
22316
New contributor
Egor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
 |Â
show 9 more comments
up vote
24
down vote
favorite
1
I have a diagonal brace running across an interior wall in the basement, and it even goes partially into the floor concrete. Is this meant to be permanent, or was it supposed to be removed during construction?
I want to finish the basement and put drywall there, but this obviously gets in the way. What are my options for dealing with it?
(Click images for larger views.)
Nail locations. 3 nails into the beam at the top, 2 elsewhere:
basement framing structural
edited Sep 6 at 11:43
Brock Adams
2,12421426
asked Sep 5 at 13:15
Egor
22316
New contributor
Egor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
14
Leaving that there for the concrete pour shows a somewhat distressing lack of attention to detail on the part of the contractor. You might consider looking around to see what other surprises they've left behind.
– Eric Lippert
Sep 5 at 21:58
1
Is the bottom plate submerged in the slab?
– DJohnM
Sep 6 at 4:47
7
@Egor Wood should never touch concrete. Embedding a 2x4 in a concrete slab is ridiculous. Concrete gets wet, moisture goes into the wood, wood rots.
– isanae
Sep 6 at 6:32
1
Can yougit blamethat brace? What does the commit message say? Do you have a unit test for that staircase and beam above? In all seriousness, that brace certainly is not transferring load to the floor but it might be dampening oscillations when someone traverses those stairs.
– dotancohen
Sep 6 at 7:13
2
@isanae Never say never. Pressure-treated wood can touch concrete.
– MonkeyZeus
Sep 6 at 15:01
 |Â
show 9 more comments
up vote
24
down vote
favorite
1
up vote
24
down vote
favorite
1
1
I have a diagonal brace running across an interior wall in the basement, and it even goes partially into the floor concrete. Is this meant to be permanent, or was it supposed to be removed during construction?
I want to finish the basement and put drywall there, but this obviously gets in the way. What are my options for dealing with it?
(Click images for larger views.)
Nail locations. 3 nails into the beam at the top, 2 elsewhere:
basement framing structural
edited Sep 6 at 11:43
Brock Adams
2,12421426
asked Sep 5 at 13:15
Egor
22316
New contributor
Egor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I have a diagonal brace running across an interior wall in the basement, and it even goes partially into the floor concrete. Is this meant to be permanent, or was it supposed to be removed during construction?
I want to finish the basement and put drywall there, but this obviously gets in the way. What are my options for dealing with it?
(Click images for larger views.)
Nail locations. 3 nails into the beam at the top, 2 elsewhere:
basement framing structural
edited Sep 6 at 11:43
Brock Adams
2,12421426
asked Sep 5 at 13:15
Egor
22316
New contributor
Egor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited Sep 6 at 11:43
Brock Adams
2,12421426
edited Sep 6 at 11:43
Brock Adams
2,12421426
edited Sep 6 at 11:43
Brock Adams
2,12421426
2,12421426
asked Sep 5 at 13:15
Egor
22316
New contributor
Egor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Sep 5 at 13:15
Egor
22316
asked Sep 5 at 13:15
Egor
22316
22316
New contributor
Egor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Egor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Egor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
14
Leaving that there for the concrete pour shows a somewhat distressing lack of attention to detail on the part of the contractor. You might consider looking around to see what other surprises they've left behind.
– Eric Lippert
Sep 5 at 21:58
1
Is the bottom plate submerged in the slab?
– DJohnM
Sep 6 at 4:47
7
@Egor Wood should never touch concrete. Embedding a 2x4 in a concrete slab is ridiculous. Concrete gets wet, moisture goes into the wood, wood rots.
– isanae
Sep 6 at 6:32
1
Can yougit blamethat brace? What does the commit message say? Do you have a unit test for that staircase and beam above? In all seriousness, that brace certainly is not transferring load to the floor but it might be dampening oscillations when someone traverses those stairs.
– dotancohen
Sep 6 at 7:13
2
@isanae Never say never. Pressure-treated wood can touch concrete.
– MonkeyZeus
Sep 6 at 15:01
 |Â
show 9 more comments
14
Leaving that there for the concrete pour shows a somewhat distressing lack of attention to detail on the part of the contractor. You might consider looking around to see what other surprises they've left behind.
– Eric Lippert
Sep 5 at 21:58
1
Is the bottom plate submerged in the slab?
– DJohnM
Sep 6 at 4:47
7
@Egor Wood should never touch concrete. Embedding a 2x4 in a concrete slab is ridiculous. Concrete gets wet, moisture goes into the wood, wood rots.
– isanae
Sep 6 at 6:32
1
Can yougit blamethat brace? What does the commit message say? Do you have a unit test for that staircase and beam above? In all seriousness, that brace certainly is not transferring load to the floor but it might be dampening oscillations when someone traverses those stairs.
– dotancohen
Sep 6 at 7:13
2
@isanae Never say never. Pressure-treated wood can touch concrete.
– MonkeyZeus
Sep 6 at 15:01
14
14
Leaving that there for the concrete pour shows a somewhat distressing lack of attention to detail on the part of the contractor. You might consider looking around to see what other surprises they've left behind.
– Eric Lippert
Sep 5 at 21:58
Leaving that there for the concrete pour shows a somewhat distressing lack of attention to detail on the part of the contractor. You might consider looking around to see what other surprises they've left behind.
– Eric Lippert
Sep 5 at 21:58
1
1
Is the bottom plate submerged in the slab?
– DJohnM
Sep 6 at 4:47
Is the bottom plate submerged in the slab?
– DJohnM
Sep 6 at 4:47
7
7
@Egor Wood should never touch concrete. Embedding a 2x4 in a concrete slab is ridiculous. Concrete gets wet, moisture goes into the wood, wood rots.
– isanae
Sep 6 at 6:32
@Egor Wood should never touch concrete. Embedding a 2x4 in a concrete slab is ridiculous. Concrete gets wet, moisture goes into the wood, wood rots.
– isanae
Sep 6 at 6:32
1
1
Can you
git blame that brace? What does the commit message say? Do you have a unit test for that staircase and beam above? In all seriousness, that brace certainly is not transferring load to the floor but it might be dampening oscillations when someone traverses those stairs.– dotancohen
Sep 6 at 7:13
Can you
git blame that brace? What does the commit message say? Do you have a unit test for that staircase and beam above? In all seriousness, that brace certainly is not transferring load to the floor but it might be dampening oscillations when someone traverses those stairs.– dotancohen
Sep 6 at 7:13
2
2
@isanae Never say never. Pressure-treated wood can touch concrete.
– MonkeyZeus
Sep 6 at 15:01
@isanae Never say never. Pressure-treated wood can touch concrete.
– MonkeyZeus
Sep 6 at 15:01
 |Â
show 9 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
That wall is load bearing; it is helping to support the stairs and that landing.
As such, it can be subjected to significant load (think two 250 lb guys, plus heavy furniture, for starters).
More importantly, it is subject to lateral impulses from people and things going up and down the stairs so it should have lateral/diagonal bracing to help stop "rhombusing".
Such bracing will give the stairs a solider feel and also reduce cracking/popping in the sheetrock.
There are a variety of metal bracing products you can use, but it would probably be sufficient, in this case, to nail 5/8's plywood to the backside of those studs (in addition to the sheetrock on the front side.
I'd also use some steel L-straps on the other 2 landing supports (if there's not already something there).
answered Sep 6 at 6:35
Brock Adams
2,12421426
You forgot about the stringers. In order for the landing to move, it would have to come uncoupled from the stringers. Likewise, there’s no diagonal brace in the opposite direction for those stringers/landing.
– Lee Sam
Sep 6 at 14:06
If a sheet of drywall is glued to those studs, I think it would provide substantially more lateral bracing than a single nailed-in 2x4 ever could.
– Eric Petroelje
Sep 6 at 14:12
@LeeSam, the stringers do provide some lateral bracing but not enough. An easy rule is to look for closed triangles of support. There is no such triangle formed with the top stringers and the landing.
– Brock Adams
Sep 6 at 16:48
1
@Egor, it can move (and that beam can move relative to the basement floor, over time). Not enough to be a safety hazard, but enough to contribute to creaks, cracks, and a "springy" feel -- especially as the house gets older. I would discard that 2x4 and untreated wood in contact with cement is a time-bomb of rot and/or infestation. Use the plywood and the drywall. That will give much better stability than a 2x4, and be less intrusive.
– Brock Adams
Sep 6 at 18:49
1
Thanks! Sounds good. I found blueprints for the house and it says the bottom plate around the stairs is PWF lumber. It does look a little different on closer inspection, has a bit of that greenish pressure-treated tint.
– Egor
Sep 6 at 18:59
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
25
down vote
Yes, you can remove the brace because:
- The wall is non-load bearing (not carrying a load)
- The diagonal brace is not secured in a manner to transfer any load at the top or bottom
- The diagonal brace is not secured to top plate
- The diagonal brace is not secured significantly to vertical stud...the picture cuts off a portion of the brace that crosses the stud so I’d verify that
- The diagonal brace is singular
edited Sep 5 at 19:51
yoozer8
1118
answered Sep 5 at 14:50
Lee Sam
7,3513613
Does "singular" mean that it only attaches to one stud? If so, it's not singular. It's attached to the thick load-bearing beam at the top with 3 nails, 2 studs with 2 nails each, and the bottom plate with 2 nails (visible in second picture)
– Egor
Sep 5 at 16:17
1
I agree with all of the points you mentioned but would you be able to elaborate as to why a brace would have been used like this at all? I cannot identify its original purpose.
– MonkeyZeus
Sep 5 at 16:27
3
@MonkeyZeus Often when framing is formed on the ground (slab) and then stood up in place, a temporary diagonal brace will be installed to keep the studs plumb, especially until the gypsum board can be installed.
– Lee Sam
Sep 5 at 16:35
1
@Egor The additional picture shows no special fasteners (bolts, plates, etc.) holding the sole plate to the slab. Therefore, I’m even more sure the diagonal is temporary.
– Lee Sam
Sep 5 at 16:39
5
@Egor - This answer is, in my opinion as a structural engineer, wrong. See Brock Adam's answer
– AndyT
Sep 6 at 13:39
 |Â
show 8 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
It is/was a temporary brace, it is safe to remove it.
answered Sep 5 at 14:20
Jack
19.2k11134
9
what could possibly go wrong...
– Jeffrey
Sep 5 at 14:44
6
@Jeffrey: if that brace is mission-critical, then that house is going to fall down any moment for dozens of other reasons.
– whatsisname
Sep 5 at 17:37
5
@whatsisname agreed. But, my point was about the answer's format. A simple "it is safe to remove it" doesn't quite cut it, because, to the uninitiated, the same answer could be given without the justifying reasons explained.
– Jeffrey
Sep 5 at 18:50
7
How do you know it's temporary? How do you know it's safe to remove it? Without explanation, your answer has no more value than somebody posting "OMG don't touch it! It'll bring the house down!" How would the asker know which of those two contradictory answers was right?
– David Richerby
Sep 5 at 23:25
I see Lee Sam did it right.
– Jack
Sep 6 at 6:40
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
That wall is load bearing; it is helping to support the stairs and that landing.
As such, it can be subjected to significant load (think two 250 lb guys, plus heavy furniture, for starters).
More importantly, it is subject to lateral impulses from people and things going up and down the stairs so it should have lateral/diagonal bracing to help stop "rhombusing".
Such bracing will give the stairs a solider feel and also reduce cracking/popping in the sheetrock.
There are a variety of metal bracing products you can use, but it would probably be sufficient, in this case, to nail 5/8's plywood to the backside of those studs (in addition to the sheetrock on the front side.
I'd also use some steel L-straps on the other 2 landing supports (if there's not already something there).
answered Sep 6 at 6:35
Brock Adams
2,12421426
You forgot about the stringers. In order for the landing to move, it would have to come uncoupled from the stringers. Likewise, there’s no diagonal brace in the opposite direction for those stringers/landing.
– Lee Sam
Sep 6 at 14:06
If a sheet of drywall is glued to those studs, I think it would provide substantially more lateral bracing than a single nailed-in 2x4 ever could.
– Eric Petroelje
Sep 6 at 14:12
@LeeSam, the stringers do provide some lateral bracing but not enough. An easy rule is to look for closed triangles of support. There is no such triangle formed with the top stringers and the landing.
– Brock Adams
Sep 6 at 16:48
1
@Egor, it can move (and that beam can move relative to the basement floor, over time). Not enough to be a safety hazard, but enough to contribute to creaks, cracks, and a "springy" feel -- especially as the house gets older. I would discard that 2x4 and untreated wood in contact with cement is a time-bomb of rot and/or infestation. Use the plywood and the drywall. That will give much better stability than a 2x4, and be less intrusive.
– Brock Adams
Sep 6 at 18:49
1
Thanks! Sounds good. I found blueprints for the house and it says the bottom plate around the stairs is PWF lumber. It does look a little different on closer inspection, has a bit of that greenish pressure-treated tint.
– Egor
Sep 6 at 18:59
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
That wall is load bearing; it is helping to support the stairs and that landing.
As such, it can be subjected to significant load (think two 250 lb guys, plus heavy furniture, for starters).
More importantly, it is subject to lateral impulses from people and things going up and down the stairs so it should have lateral/diagonal bracing to help stop "rhombusing".
Such bracing will give the stairs a solider feel and also reduce cracking/popping in the sheetrock.
There are a variety of metal bracing products you can use, but it would probably be sufficient, in this case, to nail 5/8's plywood to the backside of those studs (in addition to the sheetrock on the front side.
I'd also use some steel L-straps on the other 2 landing supports (if there's not already something there).
answered Sep 6 at 6:35
Brock Adams
2,12421426
You forgot about the stringers. In order for the landing to move, it would have to come uncoupled from the stringers. Likewise, there’s no diagonal brace in the opposite direction for those stringers/landing.
– Lee Sam
Sep 6 at 14:06
If a sheet of drywall is glued to those studs, I think it would provide substantially more lateral bracing than a single nailed-in 2x4 ever could.
– Eric Petroelje
Sep 6 at 14:12
@LeeSam, the stringers do provide some lateral bracing but not enough. An easy rule is to look for closed triangles of support. There is no such triangle formed with the top stringers and the landing.
– Brock Adams
Sep 6 at 16:48
1
@Egor, it can move (and that beam can move relative to the basement floor, over time). Not enough to be a safety hazard, but enough to contribute to creaks, cracks, and a "springy" feel -- especially as the house gets older. I would discard that 2x4 and untreated wood in contact with cement is a time-bomb of rot and/or infestation. Use the plywood and the drywall. That will give much better stability than a 2x4, and be less intrusive.
– Brock Adams
Sep 6 at 18:49
1
Thanks! Sounds good. I found blueprints for the house and it says the bottom plate around the stairs is PWF lumber. It does look a little different on closer inspection, has a bit of that greenish pressure-treated tint.
– Egor
Sep 6 at 18:59
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
That wall is load bearing; it is helping to support the stairs and that landing.
As such, it can be subjected to significant load (think two 250 lb guys, plus heavy furniture, for starters).
More importantly, it is subject to lateral impulses from people and things going up and down the stairs so it should have lateral/diagonal bracing to help stop "rhombusing".
Such bracing will give the stairs a solider feel and also reduce cracking/popping in the sheetrock.
There are a variety of metal bracing products you can use, but it would probably be sufficient, in this case, to nail 5/8's plywood to the backside of those studs (in addition to the sheetrock on the front side.
I'd also use some steel L-straps on the other 2 landing supports (if there's not already something there).
answered Sep 6 at 6:35
Brock Adams
2,12421426
That wall is load bearing; it is helping to support the stairs and that landing.
As such, it can be subjected to significant load (think two 250 lb guys, plus heavy furniture, for starters).
More importantly, it is subject to lateral impulses from people and things going up and down the stairs so it should have lateral/diagonal bracing to help stop "rhombusing".
Such bracing will give the stairs a solider feel and also reduce cracking/popping in the sheetrock.
There are a variety of metal bracing products you can use, but it would probably be sufficient, in this case, to nail 5/8's plywood to the backside of those studs (in addition to the sheetrock on the front side.
I'd also use some steel L-straps on the other 2 landing supports (if there's not already something there).
answered Sep 6 at 6:35
Brock Adams
2,12421426
answered Sep 6 at 6:35
Brock Adams
2,12421426
answered Sep 6 at 6:35
Brock Adams
2,12421426
answered Sep 6 at 6:35
Brock Adams
2,12421426
2,12421426
You forgot about the stringers. In order for the landing to move, it would have to come uncoupled from the stringers. Likewise, there’s no diagonal brace in the opposite direction for those stringers/landing.
– Lee Sam
Sep 6 at 14:06
If a sheet of drywall is glued to those studs, I think it would provide substantially more lateral bracing than a single nailed-in 2x4 ever could.
– Eric Petroelje
Sep 6 at 14:12
@LeeSam, the stringers do provide some lateral bracing but not enough. An easy rule is to look for closed triangles of support. There is no such triangle formed with the top stringers and the landing.
– Brock Adams
Sep 6 at 16:48
1
@Egor, it can move (and that beam can move relative to the basement floor, over time). Not enough to be a safety hazard, but enough to contribute to creaks, cracks, and a "springy" feel -- especially as the house gets older. I would discard that 2x4 and untreated wood in contact with cement is a time-bomb of rot and/or infestation. Use the plywood and the drywall. That will give much better stability than a 2x4, and be less intrusive.
– Brock Adams
Sep 6 at 18:49
1
Thanks! Sounds good. I found blueprints for the house and it says the bottom plate around the stairs is PWF lumber. It does look a little different on closer inspection, has a bit of that greenish pressure-treated tint.
– Egor
Sep 6 at 18:59
 |Â
show 1 more comment
You forgot about the stringers. In order for the landing to move, it would have to come uncoupled from the stringers. Likewise, there’s no diagonal brace in the opposite direction for those stringers/landing.
– Lee Sam
Sep 6 at 14:06
If a sheet of drywall is glued to those studs, I think it would provide substantially more lateral bracing than a single nailed-in 2x4 ever could.
– Eric Petroelje
Sep 6 at 14:12
@LeeSam, the stringers do provide some lateral bracing but not enough. An easy rule is to look for closed triangles of support. There is no such triangle formed with the top stringers and the landing.
– Brock Adams
Sep 6 at 16:48
1
@Egor, it can move (and that beam can move relative to the basement floor, over time). Not enough to be a safety hazard, but enough to contribute to creaks, cracks, and a "springy" feel -- especially as the house gets older. I would discard that 2x4 and untreated wood in contact with cement is a time-bomb of rot and/or infestation. Use the plywood and the drywall. That will give much better stability than a 2x4, and be less intrusive.
– Brock Adams
Sep 6 at 18:49
1
Thanks! Sounds good. I found blueprints for the house and it says the bottom plate around the stairs is PWF lumber. It does look a little different on closer inspection, has a bit of that greenish pressure-treated tint.
– Egor
Sep 6 at 18:59
You forgot about the stringers. In order for the landing to move, it would have to come uncoupled from the stringers. Likewise, there’s no diagonal brace in the opposite direction for those stringers/landing.
– Lee Sam
Sep 6 at 14:06
You forgot about the stringers. In order for the landing to move, it would have to come uncoupled from the stringers. Likewise, there’s no diagonal brace in the opposite direction for those stringers/landing.
– Lee Sam
Sep 6 at 14:06
If a sheet of drywall is glued to those studs, I think it would provide substantially more lateral bracing than a single nailed-in 2x4 ever could.
– Eric Petroelje
Sep 6 at 14:12
If a sheet of drywall is glued to those studs, I think it would provide substantially more lateral bracing than a single nailed-in 2x4 ever could.
– Eric Petroelje
Sep 6 at 14:12
@LeeSam, the stringers do provide some lateral bracing but not enough. An easy rule is to look for closed triangles of support. There is no such triangle formed with the top stringers and the landing.
– Brock Adams
Sep 6 at 16:48
@LeeSam, the stringers do provide some lateral bracing but not enough. An easy rule is to look for closed triangles of support. There is no such triangle formed with the top stringers and the landing.
– Brock Adams
Sep 6 at 16:48
1
1
@Egor, it can move (and that beam can move relative to the basement floor, over time). Not enough to be a safety hazard, but enough to contribute to creaks, cracks, and a "springy" feel -- especially as the house gets older. I would discard that 2x4 and untreated wood in contact with cement is a time-bomb of rot and/or infestation. Use the plywood and the drywall. That will give much better stability than a 2x4, and be less intrusive.
– Brock Adams
Sep 6 at 18:49
@Egor, it can move (and that beam can move relative to the basement floor, over time). Not enough to be a safety hazard, but enough to contribute to creaks, cracks, and a "springy" feel -- especially as the house gets older. I would discard that 2x4 and untreated wood in contact with cement is a time-bomb of rot and/or infestation. Use the plywood and the drywall. That will give much better stability than a 2x4, and be less intrusive.
– Brock Adams
Sep 6 at 18:49
1
1
Thanks! Sounds good. I found blueprints for the house and it says the bottom plate around the stairs is PWF lumber. It does look a little different on closer inspection, has a bit of that greenish pressure-treated tint.
– Egor
Sep 6 at 18:59
Thanks! Sounds good. I found blueprints for the house and it says the bottom plate around the stairs is PWF lumber. It does look a little different on closer inspection, has a bit of that greenish pressure-treated tint.
– Egor
Sep 6 at 18:59
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
25
down vote
Yes, you can remove the brace because:
- The wall is non-load bearing (not carrying a load)
- The diagonal brace is not secured in a manner to transfer any load at the top or bottom
- The diagonal brace is not secured to top plate
- The diagonal brace is not secured significantly to vertical stud...the picture cuts off a portion of the brace that crosses the stud so I’d verify that
- The diagonal brace is singular
edited Sep 5 at 19:51
yoozer8
1118
answered Sep 5 at 14:50
Lee Sam
7,3513613
Does "singular" mean that it only attaches to one stud? If so, it's not singular. It's attached to the thick load-bearing beam at the top with 3 nails, 2 studs with 2 nails each, and the bottom plate with 2 nails (visible in second picture)
– Egor
Sep 5 at 16:17
1
I agree with all of the points you mentioned but would you be able to elaborate as to why a brace would have been used like this at all? I cannot identify its original purpose.
– MonkeyZeus
Sep 5 at 16:27
3
@MonkeyZeus Often when framing is formed on the ground (slab) and then stood up in place, a temporary diagonal brace will be installed to keep the studs plumb, especially until the gypsum board can be installed.
– Lee Sam
Sep 5 at 16:35
1
@Egor The additional picture shows no special fasteners (bolts, plates, etc.) holding the sole plate to the slab. Therefore, I’m even more sure the diagonal is temporary.
– Lee Sam
Sep 5 at 16:39
5
@Egor - This answer is, in my opinion as a structural engineer, wrong. See Brock Adam's answer
– AndyT
Sep 6 at 13:39
 |Â
show 8 more comments
up vote
25
down vote
Yes, you can remove the brace because:
- The wall is non-load bearing (not carrying a load)
- The diagonal brace is not secured in a manner to transfer any load at the top or bottom
- The diagonal brace is not secured to top plate
- The diagonal brace is not secured significantly to vertical stud...the picture cuts off a portion of the brace that crosses the stud so I’d verify that
- The diagonal brace is singular
edited Sep 5 at 19:51
yoozer8
1118
answered Sep 5 at 14:50
Lee Sam
7,3513613
Does "singular" mean that it only attaches to one stud? If so, it's not singular. It's attached to the thick load-bearing beam at the top with 3 nails, 2 studs with 2 nails each, and the bottom plate with 2 nails (visible in second picture)
– Egor
Sep 5 at 16:17
1
I agree with all of the points you mentioned but would you be able to elaborate as to why a brace would have been used like this at all? I cannot identify its original purpose.
– MonkeyZeus
Sep 5 at 16:27
3
@MonkeyZeus Often when framing is formed on the ground (slab) and then stood up in place, a temporary diagonal brace will be installed to keep the studs plumb, especially until the gypsum board can be installed.
– Lee Sam
Sep 5 at 16:35
1
@Egor The additional picture shows no special fasteners (bolts, plates, etc.) holding the sole plate to the slab. Therefore, I’m even more sure the diagonal is temporary.
– Lee Sam
Sep 5 at 16:39
5
@Egor - This answer is, in my opinion as a structural engineer, wrong. See Brock Adam's answer
– AndyT
Sep 6 at 13:39
 |Â
show 8 more comments
up vote
25
down vote
up vote
25
down vote
Yes, you can remove the brace because:
- The wall is non-load bearing (not carrying a load)
- The diagonal brace is not secured in a manner to transfer any load at the top or bottom
- The diagonal brace is not secured to top plate
- The diagonal brace is not secured significantly to vertical stud...the picture cuts off a portion of the brace that crosses the stud so I’d verify that
- The diagonal brace is singular
edited Sep 5 at 19:51
yoozer8
1118
answered Sep 5 at 14:50
Lee Sam
7,3513613
Yes, you can remove the brace because:
- The wall is non-load bearing (not carrying a load)
- The diagonal brace is not secured in a manner to transfer any load at the top or bottom
- The diagonal brace is not secured to top plate
- The diagonal brace is not secured significantly to vertical stud...the picture cuts off a portion of the brace that crosses the stud so I’d verify that
- The diagonal brace is singular
edited Sep 5 at 19:51
yoozer8
1118
answered Sep 5 at 14:50
Lee Sam
7,3513613
edited Sep 5 at 19:51
yoozer8
1118
edited Sep 5 at 19:51
yoozer8
1118
edited Sep 5 at 19:51
yoozer8
1118
1118
answered Sep 5 at 14:50
Lee Sam
7,3513613
answered Sep 5 at 14:50
Lee Sam
7,3513613
answered Sep 5 at 14:50
Lee Sam
7,3513613
7,3513613
Does "singular" mean that it only attaches to one stud? If so, it's not singular. It's attached to the thick load-bearing beam at the top with 3 nails, 2 studs with 2 nails each, and the bottom plate with 2 nails (visible in second picture)
– Egor
Sep 5 at 16:17
1
I agree with all of the points you mentioned but would you be able to elaborate as to why a brace would have been used like this at all? I cannot identify its original purpose.
– MonkeyZeus
Sep 5 at 16:27
3
@MonkeyZeus Often when framing is formed on the ground (slab) and then stood up in place, a temporary diagonal brace will be installed to keep the studs plumb, especially until the gypsum board can be installed.
– Lee Sam
Sep 5 at 16:35
1
@Egor The additional picture shows no special fasteners (bolts, plates, etc.) holding the sole plate to the slab. Therefore, I’m even more sure the diagonal is temporary.
– Lee Sam
Sep 5 at 16:39
5
@Egor - This answer is, in my opinion as a structural engineer, wrong. See Brock Adam's answer
– AndyT
Sep 6 at 13:39
 |Â
show 8 more comments
Does "singular" mean that it only attaches to one stud? If so, it's not singular. It's attached to the thick load-bearing beam at the top with 3 nails, 2 studs with 2 nails each, and the bottom plate with 2 nails (visible in second picture)
– Egor
Sep 5 at 16:17
1
I agree with all of the points you mentioned but would you be able to elaborate as to why a brace would have been used like this at all? I cannot identify its original purpose.
– MonkeyZeus
Sep 5 at 16:27
3
@MonkeyZeus Often when framing is formed on the ground (slab) and then stood up in place, a temporary diagonal brace will be installed to keep the studs plumb, especially until the gypsum board can be installed.
– Lee Sam
Sep 5 at 16:35
1
@Egor The additional picture shows no special fasteners (bolts, plates, etc.) holding the sole plate to the slab. Therefore, I’m even more sure the diagonal is temporary.
– Lee Sam
Sep 5 at 16:39
5
@Egor - This answer is, in my opinion as a structural engineer, wrong. See Brock Adam's answer
– AndyT
Sep 6 at 13:39
Does "singular" mean that it only attaches to one stud? If so, it's not singular. It's attached to the thick load-bearing beam at the top with 3 nails, 2 studs with 2 nails each, and the bottom plate with 2 nails (visible in second picture)
– Egor
Sep 5 at 16:17
Does "singular" mean that it only attaches to one stud? If so, it's not singular. It's attached to the thick load-bearing beam at the top with 3 nails, 2 studs with 2 nails each, and the bottom plate with 2 nails (visible in second picture)
– Egor
Sep 5 at 16:17
1
1
I agree with all of the points you mentioned but would you be able to elaborate as to why a brace would have been used like this at all? I cannot identify its original purpose.
– MonkeyZeus
Sep 5 at 16:27
I agree with all of the points you mentioned but would you be able to elaborate as to why a brace would have been used like this at all? I cannot identify its original purpose.
– MonkeyZeus
Sep 5 at 16:27
3
3
@MonkeyZeus Often when framing is formed on the ground (slab) and then stood up in place, a temporary diagonal brace will be installed to keep the studs plumb, especially until the gypsum board can be installed.
– Lee Sam
Sep 5 at 16:35
@MonkeyZeus Often when framing is formed on the ground (slab) and then stood up in place, a temporary diagonal brace will be installed to keep the studs plumb, especially until the gypsum board can be installed.
– Lee Sam
Sep 5 at 16:35
1
1
@Egor The additional picture shows no special fasteners (bolts, plates, etc.) holding the sole plate to the slab. Therefore, I’m even more sure the diagonal is temporary.
– Lee Sam
Sep 5 at 16:39
@Egor The additional picture shows no special fasteners (bolts, plates, etc.) holding the sole plate to the slab. Therefore, I’m even more sure the diagonal is temporary.
– Lee Sam
Sep 5 at 16:39
5
5
@Egor - This answer is, in my opinion as a structural engineer, wrong. See Brock Adam's answer
– AndyT
Sep 6 at 13:39
@Egor - This answer is, in my opinion as a structural engineer, wrong. See Brock Adam's answer
– AndyT
Sep 6 at 13:39
 |Â
show 8 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
It is/was a temporary brace, it is safe to remove it.
answered Sep 5 at 14:20
Jack
19.2k11134
9
what could possibly go wrong...
– Jeffrey
Sep 5 at 14:44
6
@Jeffrey: if that brace is mission-critical, then that house is going to fall down any moment for dozens of other reasons.
– whatsisname
Sep 5 at 17:37
5
@whatsisname agreed. But, my point was about the answer's format. A simple "it is safe to remove it" doesn't quite cut it, because, to the uninitiated, the same answer could be given without the justifying reasons explained.
– Jeffrey
Sep 5 at 18:50
7
How do you know it's temporary? How do you know it's safe to remove it? Without explanation, your answer has no more value than somebody posting "OMG don't touch it! It'll bring the house down!" How would the asker know which of those two contradictory answers was right?
– David Richerby
Sep 5 at 23:25
I see Lee Sam did it right.
– Jack
Sep 6 at 6:40
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
It is/was a temporary brace, it is safe to remove it.
answered Sep 5 at 14:20
Jack
19.2k11134
9
what could possibly go wrong...
– Jeffrey
Sep 5 at 14:44
6
@Jeffrey: if that brace is mission-critical, then that house is going to fall down any moment for dozens of other reasons.
– whatsisname
Sep 5 at 17:37
5
@whatsisname agreed. But, my point was about the answer's format. A simple "it is safe to remove it" doesn't quite cut it, because, to the uninitiated, the same answer could be given without the justifying reasons explained.
– Jeffrey
Sep 5 at 18:50
7
How do you know it's temporary? How do you know it's safe to remove it? Without explanation, your answer has no more value than somebody posting "OMG don't touch it! It'll bring the house down!" How would the asker know which of those two contradictory answers was right?
– David Richerby
Sep 5 at 23:25
I see Lee Sam did it right.
– Jack
Sep 6 at 6:40
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
It is/was a temporary brace, it is safe to remove it.
answered Sep 5 at 14:20
Jack
19.2k11134
It is/was a temporary brace, it is safe to remove it.
answered Sep 5 at 14:20
Jack
19.2k11134
answered Sep 5 at 14:20
Jack
19.2k11134
answered Sep 5 at 14:20
Jack
19.2k11134
answered Sep 5 at 14:20
Jack
19.2k11134
19.2k11134
9
what could possibly go wrong...
– Jeffrey
Sep 5 at 14:44
6
@Jeffrey: if that brace is mission-critical, then that house is going to fall down any moment for dozens of other reasons.
– whatsisname
Sep 5 at 17:37
5
@whatsisname agreed. But, my point was about the answer's format. A simple "it is safe to remove it" doesn't quite cut it, because, to the uninitiated, the same answer could be given without the justifying reasons explained.
– Jeffrey
Sep 5 at 18:50
7
How do you know it's temporary? How do you know it's safe to remove it? Without explanation, your answer has no more value than somebody posting "OMG don't touch it! It'll bring the house down!" How would the asker know which of those two contradictory answers was right?
– David Richerby
Sep 5 at 23:25
I see Lee Sam did it right.
– Jack
Sep 6 at 6:40
add a comment |Â
9
what could possibly go wrong...
– Jeffrey
Sep 5 at 14:44
6
@Jeffrey: if that brace is mission-critical, then that house is going to fall down any moment for dozens of other reasons.
– whatsisname
Sep 5 at 17:37
5
@whatsisname agreed. But, my point was about the answer's format. A simple "it is safe to remove it" doesn't quite cut it, because, to the uninitiated, the same answer could be given without the justifying reasons explained.
– Jeffrey
Sep 5 at 18:50
7
How do you know it's temporary? How do you know it's safe to remove it? Without explanation, your answer has no more value than somebody posting "OMG don't touch it! It'll bring the house down!" How would the asker know which of those two contradictory answers was right?
– David Richerby
Sep 5 at 23:25
I see Lee Sam did it right.
– Jack
Sep 6 at 6:40
9
9
what could possibly go wrong...
– Jeffrey
Sep 5 at 14:44
what could possibly go wrong...
– Jeffrey
Sep 5 at 14:44
6
6
@Jeffrey: if that brace is mission-critical, then that house is going to fall down any moment for dozens of other reasons.
– whatsisname
Sep 5 at 17:37
@Jeffrey: if that brace is mission-critical, then that house is going to fall down any moment for dozens of other reasons.
– whatsisname
Sep 5 at 17:37
5
5
@whatsisname agreed. But, my point was about the answer's format. A simple "it is safe to remove it" doesn't quite cut it, because, to the uninitiated, the same answer could be given without the justifying reasons explained.
– Jeffrey
Sep 5 at 18:50
@whatsisname agreed. But, my point was about the answer's format. A simple "it is safe to remove it" doesn't quite cut it, because, to the uninitiated, the same answer could be given without the justifying reasons explained.
– Jeffrey
Sep 5 at 18:50
7
7
How do you know it's temporary? How do you know it's safe to remove it? Without explanation, your answer has no more value than somebody posting "OMG don't touch it! It'll bring the house down!" How would the asker know which of those two contradictory answers was right?
– David Richerby
Sep 5 at 23:25
How do you know it's temporary? How do you know it's safe to remove it? Without explanation, your answer has no more value than somebody posting "OMG don't touch it! It'll bring the house down!" How would the asker know which of those two contradictory answers was right?
– David Richerby
Sep 5 at 23:25
I see Lee Sam did it right.
– Jack
Sep 6 at 6:40
I see Lee Sam did it right.
– Jack
Sep 6 at 6:40
add a comment |Â
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Egor is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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14
Leaving that there for the concrete pour shows a somewhat distressing lack of attention to detail on the part of the contractor. You might consider looking around to see what other surprises they've left behind.
– Eric Lippert
Sep 5 at 21:58
1
Is the bottom plate submerged in the slab?
– DJohnM
Sep 6 at 4:47
7
@Egor Wood should never touch concrete. Embedding a 2x4 in a concrete slab is ridiculous. Concrete gets wet, moisture goes into the wood, wood rots.
– isanae
Sep 6 at 6:32
1
Can you
git blamethat brace? What does the commit message say? Do you have a unit test for that staircase and beam above? In all seriousness, that brace certainly is not transferring load to the floor but it might be dampening oscillations when someone traverses those stairs.– dotancohen
Sep 6 at 7:13
2
@isanae Never say never. Pressure-treated wood can touch concrete.
– MonkeyZeus
Sep 6 at 15:01