My home's last owner some work to the basement. As part of that, they put up walls along the sides of the basement staircase. I recently decided to tear down one of the walls running along the side of the steps. It's very tight at the bottom of the steps, and that makes it tough to move large things into the basement for storage. The wall I wanted to remove was installed poorly. The last home owner put up a few 2x2 studs and stapled flimsy wood panels to them. The wall would shift along the floor if I pressed against it. Thinking the wall was entirely cosmetic, I began to tear it down.
After I'd removed the panels, I saw there were some 2x4s in among the 2x2s, right where the basement steps meet the floor. They're far sturdier than the 2x2s, and I think they might be original to the house. I'd like to remove them along one side of the staircase, but they're so solid, I'm wondering if they might be supporting the weight of my second story staircase. The second story staircase runs directly above my basement staircase, and the base of the main staircase sits right above the main 2x4 I'd like to remove. Is it possible for a single 2x4 to provide support for something like a staircase? My gut tells me no, but I want to be sure I don't remove something important and damage my home.
I've attached some pictures showing the studs I'd like to remove. The blue stud is the one sitting right below the base of my main staircase. You might be able to see the the stud is cracked near the floor. I had an accident moving a large piece of furniture. It fell down the steps and smashed into the stud. That's what prompted this project.
I thought maybe these studs were originally installed for a railing, but they're on both sides of the staircase.
After I'd removed the panels, I saw there were some 2x4s in among the 2x2s, right where the basement steps meet the floor. They're far sturdier than the 2x2s, and I think they might be original to the house. I'd like to remove them along one side of the staircase, but they're so solid, I'm wondering if they might be supporting the weight of my second story staircase. The second story staircase runs directly above my basement staircase, and the base of the main staircase sits right above the main 2x4 I'd like to remove. Is it possible for a single 2x4 to provide support for something like a staircase? My gut tells me no, but I want to be sure I don't remove something important and damage my home.
I've attached some pictures showing the studs I'd like to remove. The blue stud is the one sitting right below the base of my main staircase. You might be able to see the the stud is cracked near the floor. I had an accident moving a large piece of furniture. It fell down the steps and smashed into the stud. That's what prompted this project.
I thought maybe these studs were originally installed for a railing, but they're on both sides of the staircase.
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