What is this joist doing?

[senzubeansoup]

Hello all,

I'm in the process of removing an Artex (no Asbestos) kitchen ceiling, and widening access in a load bearing wall between the kitchen and dining room.

As I was stripping everything back, I encountered this odd joist running perpendicular to the others, and seemingly supporting nothing - bits of wood and plaster have been wedged between this lower joist and the others. In places, it isn't making contact with the other joists at all.

The issue I now have is that this particular joist, which I was not expecting to see (it was previously covered by plasterboard), obstructs the lintel I intend to install to widen the doorway.

So all things considered, it doesn't look like it is supporting anything. Would removing it be crazy?

 

[noseall]

Hello all,

I'm in the process of removing an Artex (no Asbestos) kitchen ceiling, and widening access in a load bearing wall between the kitchen and dining room.

As I was stripping everything back, I encountered this odd joist running perpendicular to the others, and seemingly supporting nothing - bits of wood and plaster have been wedged between this lower joist and the others. In places, it isn't making contact with the other joists at all.

The issue I now have is that this particular joist, which I was not expecting to see (it was previously covered by plasterboard), obstructs the lintel I intend to install to widen the doorway.

So all things considered, it doesn't look like it is supporting anything. Would removing it be crazy?

The images suggest that the kitchen ceiling material was (trapped) in place when the 'purlin' beam was installed. I'm not sure what it does other than being a décor item. Is it painted?

 

[senzubeansoup]

Thanks for the quick reply. It seems to have been painted silver, but was later clad in plasterboard - presumably to cover it up and close the gap between it and the kitchen wall units.

I'm also believed it was decorative, but wanted to proceed with caution - in the process of renovating this house, I have found some absolute shockers.

The fact it has a bearing in the walls on either end also made me hesitate.

 

[stevie888]

It may well have been installed to reduce bounce in the floor above, I very much doubt you'dput it into the walls if t'were purely decorative

 

[senzubeansoup]

Ah, that makes sense. In which case, is there something I can replace it with, which doesn't obstruct the lintel?

 

[noseall]

It may well have been installed to reduce bounce in the floor above,

You don't go to the trouble to install a beam to support joists - and then leave the lath and plaster ceiling in place.

I very much doubt you'dput it into the walls if t'were purely decorative

It's more likely a remnant from a faux decor exposed beam type ceiling.

 

[noseall]

Ah, that makes sense.

No, it doesn't make any sense really. See above.

 

[Munroast]

you would try to remove bounce in the floor above by placing it in the middle, not near one end.

 

[senzubeansoup]

No, it doesn't make any sense really. See above.

Well, after reading the comment from @stevie888, we tested the theory by stomping about in the bathroom above - and there was indeed quite a lot of bounce in the joists. But the placement is wrong, if that is what they were seeking to remedy.

Having said that, why would they go to the trouble of having bearings in the brick wall at either end, if it's purely decorative?

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Is it even supported by the walls at its ends? I doubt it is, it looks like it just butts up to the plaster but impossible to tell from the photos. It's not supporting anything if it's not supported!

It looks like a bit of scrap they nailed or screwed up to the ceiling just to board over and close the annoying gap above the wall units.

It really should have been flush with the front of the units. I'm going to guess that they put it in front of them because the units had already been fitted so they couldn't nail upwards above them as the units were blocking it.

If the floor above is too bouncy then some noggins would help to make it more rigid.

You should check whatever's been leaking into the floorboards above too.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

If it really does extend into the walls then it must have been slid in through a hole through the wall from outside, but I doubt it is. Needs a dig into the plaster to find out, I'm betting the plaster covers its ends and they don't go beyond the original plaster.

 

[noseall]

It's more likely a remnant from a faux decor exposed beam type ceceiling.

wot he said

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

The three lengths of chiselled-off corners make me wonder if they were thinking of painting it black for the country kitchen look then changed their mind and boarded over it.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

...probably after the missus said how crap it looked, and that you could see the blooming great hole behind it.

 

[senzubeansoup]

Thank you all for your comments, they've been helpful! I'm going to get rid of it, add some noggins to actually reduce bounce, and eventually replace the kitchen units, placing them in such a way as to eliminate that silly gap.