If this wall has no floor above but has a loft space, you can check to see in the loft space if there are any trusses or main beams resting on the wall, if not then it’s not a load bearing wall. A house will rarely have an entire stretch of an exterior wall that is non-load-bearing. Load-bearing walls are usually made of bricks or blocks. Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing. Most often, any wall that runs perpendicular to floor joists will be a load bearing wall, while those that lay parallel to floor joists are not. Because window glass and the exterior view take visual precedence, it is easy to miss the fact that substantially sized columns are in place. Stud walls will almost certainly not be load bearing in that case. This is all the more important when you have to make a change to this wall, whether creating an opening or cutting down the entire wall. Once again, if they are perpendicular to the wall, this indicates that the wall is load-bearing. However, if the noise is muffled or dull, it might be a load-bearing wall. Unless the opening is smaller than 1.5m, then a steel beam is required,” says Lucas Vueno, site foreman with London Builders. Planning to renovate the walls in your home? These walls play a key role in supporting and reinforcing the building’s structure. But a masonry wall may or may not be load-bearing. It is far easier to remove or relocate a partition wall than it is to do the same to a bearing wall. The only way to be absolutely sure whether a wall is load bearing or not is to investigate along its entire length. DEAR TIM: I need to know how to tell if a wall is load bearing. If the wall is located directly under the attic, you can go up there to study the positions of the beams and joists. Another common sign of a load-bearing wall is the distance from any outer walls. Floorboards run across joists perpendicular, with the joists bearing on the wall IF it is loadbearing. However, some stud walls are classed as load-bearing if they add to the stability of the structure, even if they aren’t holding anything up. A load bearing wall is one which supports other elements of the building, such as (and most commonly) the: Roof - part of the roof structure which would include the ceiling joists within the loft area are sometimes supported from internal walls. Start by taking a look at the outside of your house. Generally, when the wall in question runs parallel to the floor joists above, it is not a load-bearing wall. Check the foundation — If a wall or beam is directly connected to the foundation of your house, it is load bearing. If the wall is non-load bearing the Engineer will provide a letter or report to confirm that the wall is non-load bearing and the removal will not have a detrimental effect on the property. Bearing walls help carry the weight of the building and its contents to the ground. RenoQuotes.com can help you get quotes for your load bearing wall renovation project. “If the wall is load-bearing then the structural engineer will need to calculate what needs to be done to counteract its removal. If it’s an exterior wall that’s almost definitely the case. This sign doesn’t lie and  you’ve got your answer. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Contrary to what we often hear, most load-bearing walls can be opened or torn down. Exterior walls are walls that form the perimeter, or outer footprint, of a house. I would like to knock down a short wall between my kitchen and dining room that is just four feet long. Therefore, you cannot assume that a partial wall is a partition wall. Warning: your email seems to be invalid. In order to be fully certain of what you’re seeing, , near said wall. What Does the Term Plumb Mean in Construction? A load-bearing wall as the name suggests, holds up a building and has structural significance. One type of masonry called manufactured stone veneer cannot support loads. If the wall is on the first floor of the house, and there is a basement or crawlspace below, you can check in the lower level to see if there is another wall or other supporting member (piers, beams, columns, jack posts, etc.) If you have remodeling plans that include removing or altering a wall, you must determine whether the wall is load-bearing or non-load-bearing. Step 7 – Check the Posts or Columns. If you have any doubts, seek the advice of an expert. If the Wall is Load bearing the Engineer will provide a suitable structural design along with an SER certificate. Anyone planning to remove or open a load-bearing wall will have to consult an architect or an engineer. And you can do this without removing drywall or other invasive measures. Load-bearing walls support the weight of a floor or roof structure above and are so named because they can support a significant amount of weight. 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