How can you tell if it a interior wall or a Load Bearing Walls

How can you tell if it a interior wall or a Load Bearing Walls

Hi Smurflilly

All walls that are inside the 4 outside walls are interior walls.

If u have a basement, there will be a girder with columns supporting it. The wall above the girder is load bearing.\

If u have an attic, the floor beams will overlap at wall below. This is a load bearing wall.

If can't see in basement or attic, the wall that is perpendicular to pitch of roof is usually load bearing.This is not true of all perpendicular walls.

Open ceiling at wall in question to see if ceiling beams overlap.If they do, this is a load bearing wall.

Chuck

Ok I will have to check that.Another Question My home is a 1953 cape how did they build their home at that time with load bearing walls? If I did open up a load bearing wall alrighty and took out about 3 studs would that cause any problems

Removing any framing from a load bearing wall can be dangerous. You must shore up the wall with a new header sitting on several studs at each end. Check with the building department in your town, they may have your plans on file.

OK thank you very much I think I will check with the building department in my town.

creahands


If u have an attic, the floor beams will overlap at wall below. This is a load bearing wall. What do you mean by overlap other stud siting on top of the beams. Lillian

ballengerb1



I did add extra Studs across and Next to the other stud that I left I added More studs .Lillian

Can you draw a picture or show a photo of this?

http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j77/LillianDesmond/?action=view&current=Picture001-1.jpg

Let me no if you could see the picture

This is the opening picture by LillianDesmond - Photobucket (http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j77/LillianDesmond/?action=view&current=Picture001-1.jpg)

Nope, sorry. Scan your pic or drawing into your computer. The below the box where you post an answer click on Go Advanced, then drop down to manage attachments and click

Framing lumber comes in lengths starting at 8' and increase by 2'. IE 8, 10, 12, 14, 16.

example
IF house is 24' wide, then 14 foot beams would be used. They would overlap at wall in middle of house.

If standing in attic above wall, looking down, u will see floor beams . Below floor beam will be a 2x4. This is the plate at top of wall. If floor beam length ends near this 2x4, the 2x4 is supporting that floor beam. That is a bearing wall.

Chuck

From picture, can not tell if bearing wall.

If it is, u will need a header supported by 2 jack studs on each side. The header would be made with 2 2x10's nailed together. The header with seat on top of jack studs.

Chuck

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j77/LillianDesmond/Picture001-1-1.jpg

Ok we cut the middle then we made small closet on the side and we are making an arcway.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j77/LillianDesmond/renovation.jpg

Do u have a basement or attic u can get in?

Chuck

Chuck,


The attic was converted into two bedroom and a bathroom it has some small cross space.and yes we have a basement. Lillian

Lillian

In the basement, measure from outside wall to girder. The girder will be located about in middle.

Go upstairs and measure from same outside wall. If measurement is same or within a couple of inches of measurement in basement, that would be a bearing wall.

Chuck

Chuck,
I measure basement gave me 12 ft and from and my room from where the opening to the window gave me 13ft and up stairs gave me 13 ft so it a load Bearing wall right

That it is. U need a header to support the ceiling beams. Put up temporary wall until after header is installed.

Header should be double 2 x 10 supported by 2 jack studs on each side. Make header 7'' longer than opening.

The jack studs can be put inside existing wall and made flush to wall for closets.

Good luck

Chuck