Expert: Ted Barnhill (Principal, Design45 LLC) - 1/23/2009

Question
Hello, I just had a renovation of my bath and kitchen, my contractor finally came in to install my range hood vent. The job is fairly simple since the hood is located on an outside wall and can be direct vented. My vent hood requires an 8" pipe and when my contractor cut open the drywall there was a stud in the center of the vent area, he thought nothing if just cutting that stud right out and putting the vent pipe in. I'm very worried about the structure being compromised by what he has done, we just gutted the area and fixed many structural issues and termite damage...why would cutting this out now be ok? This is a 130 year old house it needs all the help it can get...should i address this with my contractor?

Answer
Steve,

Yes, by all means ask your contractor for an explanation!  From your description, you may have reason to be worried about the structural implications of removing that stud.  Ideally, your contractor would have framed for your proposed vent while the room was gutted.  At this point, there may be other options for accommodating loads without opening up the whole wall, such as a mini-header, or inserting spliced studs on either side of your vent.  It sounds like you are doing your best to ensure the stability of your older home; for your peace of mind you might find it helpful to consult with a local structural engineer.  Good luck, and feel free to follow up with specific questions after talking with your contractor.  -Ted