Smart How To Identify A Load Bearing Wall
Interior load-bearing walls can be identified by noting how the trusses are constructed to carry the weight.
How to identify a load bearing wall. You can also look at the floor joists either from the basement or from the attic. In an unfinished basement it is easier to see the metal beams or columns that run from one side of the room to the other. 2 Anatomy of a load bearing wall Knowing what makes a wall load bearing is essential for locating them.
If you see these nearby internal walls may not be load bearing. When joiststrusses are perpendicular to the wall and bear on the top of the wall that wall is bearing wall. If there has been a previous renovation or addition to the property some exterior walls may now appear in the interior of the house.
There are a few places to look to tell if a wall is load bearing or not. A bearing wall is a wall that has loads weight bearing down on it from above. Try to locate any structural beams and if a wall is above these beams chances are its probably load bearing.
This is due to weight causing pressure both down and outwards. An example of a load bearing wall call be seen on the right. If you see a wall that appears to be holding up an intersection of.
For more info on floor joists and what they do heres Bob Vila. A load-bearing wall will often be perpendicular to floor joists. Here are five ways to determine if a wall is load-bearing.
External Walls Are Generally Load Bearing Walls Any exterior wall will be a load bearing wall. If you have a basement start there. It is a structural element within a house or home.