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    Smurflilly's Avatar
    Smurflilly Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jun 18, 2009, 03:29 AM
    Load Bearing Walls
    How can you tell if it a interior wall or a Load Bearing Walls
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    Smurflilly Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #2

    Jun 18, 2009, 03:30 AM

    How can you tell if it a interior wall or a Load Bearing Walls
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
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    #3

    Jun 18, 2009, 04:39 AM

    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
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    Smurflilly Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Jun 18, 2009, 07:49 AM

    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
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
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    #5

    Jun 18, 2009, 09:15 AM

    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.
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    Smurflilly Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Jun 18, 2009, 09:44 AM

    OK thank you very much I think I will check with the building department in my town.
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    Smurflilly Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Jun 19, 2009, 11:50 AM

    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
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    Smurflilly Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Jun 19, 2009, 11:50 AM
    ballengerb1



    I did add extra Studs across and Next to the other stud that I left I added More studs .Lillian
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    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
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    #9

    Jun 19, 2009, 02:45 PM

    Can you draw a picture or show a photo of this?
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    Smurflilly Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #10

    Jun 19, 2009, 03:50 PM



    Let me no if you could see the picture
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    Smurflilly Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #11

    Jun 19, 2009, 04:07 PM

    This is the opening picture by LillianDesmond - Photobucket
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
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    #12

    Jun 19, 2009, 07:32 PM

    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
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
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    #13

    Jun 20, 2009, 01:09 AM

    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
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    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
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    #14

    Jun 20, 2009, 01:24 AM

    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
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    Smurflilly Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #15

    Jun 20, 2009, 02:57 AM
    [IMG][/IMG]
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    Smurflilly Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #16

    Jun 20, 2009, 03:00 AM

    Ok we cut the middle then we made small closet on the side and we are making an arcway.
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    Smurflilly Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #17

    Jun 20, 2009, 03:50 AM
    [IMG][/IMG]
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
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    #18

    Jun 20, 2009, 06:27 AM

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

    Chuck
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    Smurflilly Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #19

    Jun 20, 2009, 08:43 AM

    Chuck,


    The attic was converted into two bedroom and a bathroom it has some small cross space.and yes we have a basement. Lillian
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
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    #20

    Jun 20, 2009, 04:48 PM

    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
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