Expert: Daniel Humphrey - 9/23/2010

Question
Hi,

I am remodeling my kitchen and there is wood where I want my recessed light to be. I need to know how to safely remove that wood.
Let's see how well I can describe this. On the ceiling plate of my kitchen rests a valley rafter. That rafter runs upwards across the kitchen and appears to be supported by two vertical boards. One of those boards rests on an interior wall, which is fine by me. The other board rests on a 2x6 lying on its side. That 2x66 rests on the ceiling plates and spans the kitchen, between two standard joists. That 2x6 is in the way of where I wish to place my recessed lighting fixture. How may I safely replace that support? Can I create the same support in the space between the joists to either side of where it is now located?

Thanks in advance,

Robert

Answer
Dear Robert,

If there is room on each side of the 2x6 for 2x4s, you can get the same strength by attaching those 2x4s to each side and then cutting the 6" hole for the recessed light.

In that scenario, I would glue and nail the 2x4s onto the 2x6 before doing any cutting.

Without seeing the roof framing, it is difficult to advise. Usually, the framing members like valley rafters are well supported by the roof sheathing an other rafters that are tied into it. I've found when tearing down buildings that all the pieces are working together to hold the shape and that severing just one support rarely does much.

Good luck!

Daniel