I have a house with a small kitchen and a powder room next to it. I was hoping to tear down the wall that seperates them and make the kitchen bigger. How expensive is this sort of thing and how difficult is it for the average joe to do? I don't have much experience with this type of work, so is it something that anyone can do with a little effort? I don't want the roof caving in on me.
2007-03-14 12:20:31 · 6 answers · asked by Matt 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
louis, i have heard of this before. how do i know if it is a bearing wall? there are tons of walls in my house, how can i tell which is bearing and which can be knocked out?
2007-03-14 12:28:29 · update #1
First you must make sure it's not a load-bearing wall! Then you need to make sure there are no electrical lines or plumbing lines going through it!
If none of those are a problem, you will still need to be prepared to support the weight of that ceiling area. As far as demolition, if there is only sheetrock and some 2 x 4's...it's not hard at all.
I would recommend going to Home Depot or Lowe's and talk to some of the people there. I would also recommend checking out some books from the local library or check out some of those DIY shows like on TLC, or HGTV.
You could also check around with family, friends, co-workers and see if any of them have done anything like this before or if they know a contractor that wouldn't mind giving you some pointers.
2007-03-14 12:31:10 · answer #1 · answered by angelpoet04 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First things first.... check and see if it is a bearing wall (holding up part of the structure you do not want removed).
If that is not a problem, then you can buy a sledge hammer suited to your strength level, and have at 'er. watch out for electrical and plumbing that may be in the wall, and be sure all water or electricity is turned off to that area, and bash away till there is no more wall.
If you live close to me, I'd be happy to come and do it for you. I have some latent frustrations that need to be worked out, and could use the exercise.
2007-03-14 12:33:45 · answer #2 · answered by Beyond 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some things you need to look at first. you need to find out if its a load bearing wall or not. what electric is in the wall, does the electric feed a second floor? is there any heating, plumbing etc in there.
chances are if the wall goes the same direction as the floor joist, its not load bearing and can be removed. The wall can still be removed but would need a header added with support post on the ends
2007-03-14 12:29:26 · answer #3 · answered by hometech02 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
make sure it not a beringwall that supports something before you remove the wall. as far as cost you would have to patch the celing and floor where the wall was .and materials needed wound be a nice size sledghammer to remove the wall studs and a heavy crowbar.to pull the wall top cap and floor plate off .
2007-03-14 12:43:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure there is good support when the wall is removed.Get a sledge hammer and crow bar and start swinging!(don't forget the saftey glasses and hard hat)things are going to fly!!
2007-03-14 12:25:14 · answer #5 · answered by gotabedifferent 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
its really not brain science, but you better be sure its not a bearing wall
2007-03-14 12:27:03 · answer #6 · answered by louis z 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋