Beginning a major demolition/renovation on a property, and am hesitant about digging right in before I know which walls are structural. I don't want the place crashing in on me.
Withough removing all the drywall so I can see the joists, how can I tell?
2007-05-09 04:00:36 · 10 answers · asked by dcsportbiker 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
If you do not understand the load bearing structure of a building you are at high risk in what you are doing. You should get more understanding of these systems than you will get on this forum. Ask a contractor.
2007-05-09 05:10:42 · answer #1 · answered by stedyedy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Load bearing walls usually run perpendicular to the long axis of the house and the reason they do so is simple; It shortens the span of the of the joists and rafters.The shorter the distance that needs to be spanned the smaller[ read cheaper] the size of the spanning member needed to do so.
2007-05-09 13:38:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are asking this question I think that is telling you that you do not have the knowledge to do what you are trying to do. You must look in the attic and see if the roof is being supported by the wall you are trying to remove. If the wall is a bearing wall then you must temporarily support the ceiling while you remove the wall and then you will have to place a beam in the ceiling.
2007-05-09 12:18:59 · answer #3 · answered by big_mustache 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Generally celing and floor joists are perpendicular to load bearing walls. If you are not sure or there is any question at all, you need to have a structural engineer (not a contractor) look at it.
2007-05-09 13:05:15 · answer #4 · answered by John F 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest you get a professional demolition contractor to do the demolition.
Dallas Contracting Co., Inc. is a expert demolition contractor providing demolition services nationwide.
2007-05-10 07:57:04 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Original prints or a general building contractor. If you need to ask about this, it certainly is not a DIY project. You obviously should not be doing the work yourself. And if your going to call engineers to the site get a good easy chair and enjoy that wait.
2007-05-09 16:28:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
With all due respect it might be worth the money to hire a D-9 CAT and operator, and stand back and watch, or sit and sip lemonade, listening to your fave music as the house comes down.
Load bearing walls aren't so difficult to find as your other answer clearly states, but you claim MAJOR,,,so why not go that way from the beginning?
Not only can the house be down in minutes, but then hauled away by some agreement you make. Even if one might assume $100 plus per hour for the Cat, the energy/time/ and effort you'll have to determine might be worth the savings of that for you.
Steven Wolf
2007-05-09 16:30:23 · answer #7 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋
If there are no visible cracks in the drywall wall and ceiling it is probably sound, check to see if door jambs and window jambs are plumb and true, if they are then there hasn't been any shifting
2007-05-09 11:13:26 · answer #8 · answered by Tutto Bene 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
can you get in any attic space to see the layout. If not , i would visually cut the house into roughly thirds and see what walls would correspond to that "fit" ... hallways and such should be fine to take out.
2007-05-09 14:40:01 · answer #9 · answered by xytus3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF YOUR DOING MAJOR DEM AND REN THEN REMOVE THE UPSTAIRS FLOORBOARDS AND SEE WHICH WAY THE JOISTS GO THEN YOU WILL KNOW WHAT IS STRUCTUAL OR NOT AND THE BEAUTY OF THAT IF YOU DONT WANT TO KNOCK IT DOWN THEN PUT THE FLOORBOARD BACK AGAIN .
2007-05-09 11:09:41 · answer #10 · answered by tonyinspain 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋