What is a load bearing wall?
A load bearing wall supports the weight of a floor or roof structure above and are so named because they bear a load. A non-load bearing wall is responsible only for holding up itself.
Why remove it?
- Open living
- Adds space without changing your home’s footprint
- Increases natural light
- Improves traffic patterns
- Makes the home feel bigger
- How to identify?
How to Identify a load bearing wall?
To identify if a wall is load bearing you will need to look at several different things. Following the wall you want to remove from the lowest level of your house and going up to the highest level.
Basement:
If the floor/ceiling joists are running perpendicular to the wall you want remove, this could mean the wall is load bearing. If the joists are running parallel, it could mean that the wall is non-load bearing. It is easier to see this from an unfinished basement.
Walls above:
You will need to follow the other walls above the wall you want to remove. Does the wall stretch up through the floor directly above itself? If so, this is another clue leading us to believe the wall could be load bearing.
Head to the attic:
If there is a beam or roof support located directly over the wall you want to remove then it is most likely load bearing.
Safest way to be sure?
All structures aren’t all the same, some of these signs could be missing from the wall you want to remove but could still be load bearing. We recommend calling a contractor or structural engineer to determine if the wall is load bearing.
Do you live in the Greater Cincinnati area and have questions about the wall you want to remove?
Contact your friendly pros at New Leaf Home Repair and Remodeling for an estimate.
