Hi,
Id like to remove the door surround on the understairs cupboard. Id also like to remove some breeze blocks from the wall. Ive removed some breeze blocks and added a bit of wood just to retain it for the time being.

Here are some images:

http://www.versatileinsurance.co.uk/1.JPG
http://www.versatileinsurance.co.uk/2.JPG
http://www.versatileinsurance.co.uk/3.jpg

Does it look like the door surround supporting anything above it? Or is the newel post doing all the supporting? Ive shown what Id like to remove in the first image, and shown what Id like to keep.

Does that make sense? Thanks.

you can remove what you have pointed to in your pic

Thanks cpm25.

Can anyone else confirm this? (sorry cpm, Im sure you're right, I'd just like a second opinion!)

I dont really know how stairs are constructed, so it may be an obvious question. Im going off to look for some diagrams now (I presume all stairs are built the same?).

A straight-flight staircase is usually self-supporting between the floor levels (the stair acts like a ladder at an angle), so cpm25 is correct.

1. Your doorway has a door head, and above the door head is a hefty lintel which appears to be supporting a possible landing halfway up the fight, and some other detailing.
2. Is there a landing/platform in the stair flight? Do the "skirtings" running up the stairs stop and "change direction" in that area?
3. Perhaps its wise not to remove anything else until you/we are certain as to what the construction detail is.
4. What is your final purpose in doing this work?

Maybe I should take some photos from the 'stairs' side. Basically the stairs go up and then theres a small landing (1m x 1m - ish) with a door leading to the bedroom on the left, and a door leading to a bedroom on the right.

Theres no landing halfway up the flight (its a small 2 bed cottage). The skirtings go straight up (Ill photograph these tonight).

The purpose of this work is just to make as much space as possible in the kitchen. If I can remove the understair's door surround, then that will give me better access to the fridge.

Hi guys
Here are some photos:

This is obviously showing the stairwell:
http://www.versatileinsurance.co.uk/a.JPG

This shows the little landing at the top (left and right are doorways into the bedrooms. Those cupboard doors opposite is the airing cupboard):
http://www.versatileinsurance.co.uk/b.JPG

This is looking down the stairwell (note the stairs veer left at the bottom. I dont know if this has a bearing on anything!). Excuse the stain on the landing!
http://www.versatileinsurance.co.uk/c.JPG

Hopefully that gives you a better idea of the stairs. What do you think?

Have you got insurance in case it all goes wrong?

It does look like you can remove the frame, its not doing anything

Yes, I do have insurance!! Its just normal home insurance, so I dont know if it covers amateur DIYer mishaps!

It's not that versatile then?

On your 1st post pic2..............is that a top shelf mag on the floor?????????

Bodgeitandleggit: ha ha -youve got a keen eye! Actually, thats a little toy I was bought. Its a small model of a lady that - when you add water - increases in size (I assume its made of some sort of sponge). I havnt opened it and its been left on the fridge for the past 6 months! Maybe I should have removed that when I took the photo!

tim00: I dont think that is a hefty lintel. It does look like it in the photos, but up close its just a bit of wood. If it is a lintel then it cant be holding up much - it doesnt even look like its nailed into anything (its hard to tell).

Just get on with it! Your stairs/house are not going to fall down!!!