"car crash" wrote in message
...
I am doing my basement and wanted to take out a wall near the
staircase. What concerns me is that at the end of the staircase there
are 2 2x4's that have a big yellow coloured 2x10 resting on it at the
top. Now this 2x10 is being held up by a steel floor joist support,
but what I was wondering if is that the 2 2x4's area load bearing
wall? Someone from Home Depot was telling me that there is no such
thing as a load bearing wall in the basement and that I can definitely
take it out.
Can anyone else provide input ? The house is brand new, 1 year old,
and built in Ottawa, Ontario
Thanks.


NO, NO, NO!! Never accept structural advice from HD employees! If you have
a wall and jackpost near the staircase, chances are that at least some of it
is load-bearing. The jackpost for sure should not be moved. The wall may
not be load-bearing, but the staircase may be using it for support. My
basement steps go down in an "L" fashion, and I have some load-bearing
elements with it. As others have said, pictures would be helpful.