I have a house in California from the 70s with a quirky door rough opening measuring 32 3/4" x 79". Instead of paying for a custom door, I've got a prehung steel door that's 32" x 81.5". I'm uncertain if the header is load bearing, but it sits close to the roofline. Currently, it's just two 2x4s together over jack studs, with king studs alongside. I've poked around and didn't find any cripple studs above, but I plan to remove some drywall tomorrow. I need advice on how to safely move the header up by 3 inches. Here's a picture for reference: https://imgur.com/a/DA75Lxo
2 Answers
If you're moving the header, it’s important to install new jack studs, to carry the load properly. Just extending the existing ones might not be sufficient. It’s better to play it safe when it comes to structural changes.
Since it's an exterior wall, it's definitely load bearing, so you'll need to be cautious. First, remove the drywall above the door up to the ceiling and extend about 6 inches on either side. That way, you can get a clear view and take better pictures for more specific advice later.
Sounds like a solid plan! Just be careful when removing the drywall. If you find any cripples, you'll need to handle that before making any changes.