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    anita_6's Avatar
    anita_6 Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    May 2, 2010, 09:55 AM
    how do you know if a wall is load bearing
    I would like to remove a wall between my bedroom and the one next to it. I also would like to bring the door down 3' in the hall. This would enlarge the bedroom from 12x11 to 12x14. The room next door is only 9x7 and I would turn it into a closet 6x7. How do you tell if a wall is load bearing, and if it is load bearing does that mean you have to put in steel beams. Thanks.
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #2

    May 2, 2010, 02:35 PM

    These are the 2 easiest ways to determine a load bearing wall.

    Checking in basement, see if u have a support girder directly under wall. Measure from outside wall to girder and from outside wall to wall. If the measurements are the same or within 1 or 2 inches it is probably a bearing wall.

    The better way is to check in the attic. If the floor beams in attic not a continuous piece over wall, it is a bearing wall.

    The floor beams in attic from outside wall to some point in about center of house and the opposite outside wall will bypass each other. Where this happens, below the splice will be a supporting wall.

    Hope this helps. If neither condition exists, get back to us and we can help with more options.

    Good luck

    Chuck
    manhattan42's Avatar
    manhattan42 Posts: 143, Reputation: 11
    Junior Member
    		  
    #3

    May 3, 2010, 03:35 AM

    Simplest way:

    If the wall is parallel to the ridge beam and basement beam, it is likely load bearing.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #4

    May 3, 2010, 08:28 AM

    I have to go with Creahands on this one. I have a hallway down the middle of my house so both walls of it are parallel but only one sits on top of the beam and carries the load.
    anita_6's Avatar
    anita_6 Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    May 3, 2010, 05:43 PM
    ;)
    Quote Originally Posted by creahands View Post
    These are the 2 easiest ways to determine a load bearing wall.

    Checking in basement, see if u have a support girder directly under wall. Measure from outside wall to girder and from outside wall to wall. If the measurements are the same or within 1 or 2 inches it is probably a bearing wall.

    The better way is to check in the attic. If the floor beams in attic not a continuous piece over wall, it is a bearing wall.

    The floor beams in attic from outside wall to some point in about center of house and the opposite outside wall will bypass each other. Where this happens, below the splice will be a supporting wall.

    Hope this helps. If neither condition exists, get back to us and we can help with more options.

    Good luck

    Chuck
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