Building Homes or Extensions/Garage Header

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Expert: - 9/14/2010


Question

Garage Heaer
The supporting 2x4s and part of my garage door header was destroyed by termites.  The header was a 13.5" wide x 17' header that was a solid 3" piece of wood.  It was supported by (3) 2x4s on each end.  As you can see in the photo on the right side I replaced the damaged 2x4s with new ones, but the header is only 9.5" on that side now (the bottom 4" of the header on the right side was damaged). Being the 2x4s were completely destroyed, I wonder what was holding up the roof.  Also on the photo I show the left side which still has the full header.   Unfortuneately as you can see in the photo over the garage is not the Gable end, so the header supports the roof truss which are 24" OC.  Should I replace the header and if I have to replace the header would you recommend using microlams or other option?  What size and how many?  Also I would have to build a support wall to remove the existing beam.  There is sheetrock in the garage ceiling.  Do I have to remove the sheetrock or can I push the wall tight against the sheetrock in order to provide support long enough to replace the header.

Thanks in advance,
Robert

Answer
Dear Robert,

The repair you made is fine; the 9-1/2" bearing end does not significantly change the strength of the header. If the rest of the wood is sound, I would leave it as is.

If you ever do replace that header, your idea of building a temporary supporting wall is good. You wouldn't need to remove any sheetrock, but you should tack up some plywood under the sheetrock to protect it from getting banged up by the temporary wall. You can make your own header from 2x12 material and plywood if you don't want to go with a glue lam or microlam.

But that header will be fine if the termites can stay away.

Daniel

Daniel Humphrey

Expertise

I can answer questions about designing and building homes and outbuildings, especially for colder climates. I am expert in timber framing, but of course I also know about other kinds of residential construction techniques and materials. Because of my emphasis on using local materials and organic alternatives, I know quite about about Green Building and am willing to do the research to find out more.

Experience

I've been a timber framer for 20 years, working as a general contractor who designs and builds custom timberframe homes, working as much as possible with local organic materials, from foundation to finish. I also have expertise in designing, building, and setting up pre-fab remote camp facilities on terra firma or temperate glaciers for research and expeditions, using helicopters for support.

Education/Credentials
B.A., M.F.A.

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