Comments on: Question about load bearing walls.

By: geo e

geo e — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

First, the load bearing wall in any bldg is the wall that holds up the ceiling rafters/joists. Go up in the attic and look how the rafters go and then see which wall in your house follows the center line. Now 2 of the outside walls are load bearing also cause they hold up the roof rafters. When ever there’s a load bearing wall, you can brace/support it enough to meet codes if your going to open them up, it’s just you have to get them at your government bldg. codes office. What I tell many other people who are doing projects like yours is get some local builders and get their ideas on how to do it and of course the cost. This will give you some important info I or others here can’t tell you. Then if they give you some good advice, slip them some money if your still going to DIY, cause they gave you good ideas, which is worth it.

By: frozen

frozen — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

The exterior wall is load bearing. It does not matter if the house is one or two stories. In your case the wall supports the roof. Depending on where you are living, the roof loading will vary (snow, wind). In addition earthquake zones are required to withstand shear loads in the structural walls. My advice is to talk to the local municipality since you will require a building permit to open the wall. They will be able to help you based on the building codes for your particular area. General contractors would be the way to go since you will be dealing with multiple trades (electrical, plumbing) in addtion to the structural work.

By: Bub

Bub — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I agree that pretty much any outer wall is load bearing. You may or may not need a permit depending on where you live, I wouldn’t need one where I live. You can open up the wall using a long temporary support beam to support the weight during the removal of the old wall and a new permanent support beam to support the weight when you are done. It would need to be very strong, like a manufactured “I” beam or two 2 x 10’s nailed to gether and supported at the ends in the adjoining walls or in the area where you are removing the present wall. You may wish to hire this part of your job done to make sure it is done quickly and correctly. Good luck.