I'm thinking of remodeling my house, how do I determine if an interior wall is a 'load bearing wall'?

Question

It's an internal wall between two bedrooms, but I don't want to cut it out and have the ceiling or roof sag...how do I tell if it's load bearing?

Answer 1

to be sure you could get a copy of the plans, but most builders could tell you

Answer 2

Is the structure two story? if so determine if the second floor walls are stacked. If so than there load baring. If it's a single story home go into the attic space and find out where your ceiling joist are bearing if you can find a "run" were there lapped past one another on a top plate(2X4)than that's your bearing. You may want to consider. an opening with a beam either down from the ceiling at door header height or up above ceiling height.

Answer 3

One way is to get up into the crawlspace under the roof. Where the roof trusses come down, at the ends, THAT should be a load bearing wall. Also, assume that any exterior wall is load bearing.

From the outside, any "valleys" in the roof are probably over load bearing walls.

On two story structures, it gets way more complicated.

These are just rules of thumb. If, by these suggestions, you determine that it IS a load bearing wall, then just assume it is. If these checks don't suggest a load bearing wall, you should STILL check it out with a contractor before you do any cutting.


Note to "rouge rocker." Are you sure you are spelling your name right? I mean, the spelling in the answer is pretty bad, but, the way you spell your name, it means that reddish make up women put on their cheeks. If that's what you meant, well, okay. Different strokes, and all that. If you meant a rocker that moves out of the main stream, and strikes out on his own, then it should be spelled "rogue rocker."

I'm not judging, here. Just sayin'.

Answer 4

Generally walls on the outside perimeter and center core are load bearing. USUALLY, you can cut walls that run perpendicular to the central wall.

If the wall is between two bedrooms and it happens to be a load bearing wall you can still open the wall you just have to put a large header across the opening to transfer the bearing and handle the roof loading.

Answer 5

Look in your attic. If you have trusses, it's likely not a load bearing wall. If you have rafters, it's possible it is load bearing. If the wall is directly under the ridgeline of your roof, it is load-bearing. If the wall is at right angles to the ridgeline, it probably isn't. So, you see, it may be complicated if your house plan is complex. I'd get a structural engineer to take a look at your house, or your plans if you have them, before I'd knock out a wall. It will be a small part of your overall remodeling budget and give you lots of peace of mind.

Answer 6

If the wall runs parallel to the joists of the floor above it is not load bearing (unless there is a similar wall in same location above) if it runs across those joists it may be load bearing. this would depend on the size of the joist, joist spacing, and the distance from support on either side. with todays engineered joists there can be a long span and just because the wall runs across the joits it would not necessarily make it load bearing. one of the easiest ways i have found and mind you its not foolproof is if the wall has a doorway in it see if it has been built with a header that would hold a load. to be safe though if your not sure call a professional.

Answer 7

I have just purchased a home and needed an answer to the same question. I was told that although some people can knock on a wall and tell if it is weight bearing, it is best if you can get blueprints to make sure.

Unfortunately, I find this easier said than done.

Answer 8

Basically, if there is anything such as a beam and/or a joist that sits on the wall above ceiling height, in my book would be considered load bearing.

Answer 9

there might be a way to check on your own. Look in your attic and see if there is a beam sitting on it or crossing over it. If so, it's a load bearing wall.

Answer 10

if you dont know if it is you should call someone and have them come look at and make sure. you dont want to start knocking it down and find out that it was.