If you’re remodeling your home, it’s important to know the difference between load bearing and non load bearing walls. While you can usually assume that interior walls are non load bearing, every property is built differently.
Consulting a professional is always recommended and a great way to determine where your load bearing walls are; however, this basic guide can help you identify and provide some information on safe removal of non load bearing walls for your remodeling project:
Examples of load bearing walls
A load bearing wall is any wall that supports the weight of the roof and upper floors. Load bearing walls are specifically built to distribute the weight evenly all the way down through the foundation of the house.
How to determine whether a wall is load bearing
Most exterior walls of a building are load bearing. However, a load bearing wall can also be an interior wall. To find out if a wall is supporting the structure, check if it is perpendicular to the joists. If it’s perpendicular, it’s likely load bearing. If parallel, it is likely a non load bearing wall.
Consult blueprints or building plans to get a better understanding of the wall placement. However, it’s best to hire a professional contractor or inspector to help you identify the load bearing walls in your home before you make any major changes.
How to safely remove load bearing walls
The safest way to remove a load bearing wall is with professional assistance. Not only will you need an inspection and building permit, but you may have to cap off or reroute utility lines in the wall. This might include electrical wiring, pipes and HVAC ductwork. It’s also likely that you’ll need to remove and relocate things like light switches or outlets.
A professional structural engineer will take necessary steps to create support for the weight above the wall once it is removed. There are a few methods for creating temporary supports, including use of steel columns and 2×4 studs. A contractor can help you determine which method is best for your particular situation.
Load bearing walls are essential to a structure and can be difficult to remove. If you’re planning major remodeling in your home, keep these tips in mind before making any major changes.
About the Author
Robin Anderson Real Estate
“My Passion is people and relationships and I promise to provide my clients with exceptional service tailored to their individual needs.” -Robin Anderson
Georgia native, Robin Anderson brings her passion for people and her love of homes to work for her clients. She and her husband, Andy, have been married for over 30 years and have two adult children, Ellen and Drew. They currently live in Fulton County, but Robin has lived and invested in properties throughout metro Atlanta as well as helped clients buy and sell. She has been integral to many real estate endeavors including designing and building several custom homes, remodeling homes, subdividing land, managing rental properties, and buying and selling properties. She spent her first 3 years in real estate working with a new home builder, and she has spent the last 6 years working with buyers and sellers in her own community. Robin is highly motivated but sensitive to the fact that buying and selling homes can be an emotional experience, so she makes it a priority to keep clients closely informed throughout the process and strives to produce quick results. She appreciates the opportunity to help her clients navigate the real estate process, and she aspires to deliver quality customer service that is both informative and positive. She is driven to provide outstanding service for her clients and she is focused on building successful and lasting relationships with her clients. This personalized service earns her enthusiastic referrals from clients she is pleased to call friends.Edit
