Determining if a wall is load bearing

[gumbellion]

Hey,
First post. I joined the forum because we just bought our first place and its got a 15x30 attached garage, and hopefully a detached 20x30 in the next 2 years.

But first i need to get the inside the way the Mrs wants it. Between the kitchen, living and dining area there is a "L" shaped wall that we want to remove to open things up. During the home inspection the inspector figured it wasnt load bearing because from the exterior wall its about a 10 foot area to the wall that runs parallel to the roof joists/trusses (i dont know what they are) then the wall that runs perpindicular to the trusses that makes the L goes towards the rest of the house. I know i cant explain it, but can post a photo this weekend if needed.
We get the place monday so will take the drywall off and remove the cabinets then. But just want to know what to look for before i pull the house down on top of myself.

If it makes a difference this is on the second story

Thanks!

 

[skwirl]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

gumbellion,

If the wall is running in the same direction (parallel) as the roof trusses or ceiling joists it probably does not carry any load. You need to check for any electrical or plumbing that may be in, or pass through, this wall by looking in the attic space above. Also check for any loads in the attic space over that wall like an HVAC unit.

 

[Zeke]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

Another way to determine whether it's bearing is to see if it sits on a wall below. If not it most likely is not a bearing wall. BTW, welcome to the GJ.

Yes, pics are best to describe most things but that situation is going to be tough to show anything meaningful.

 

[b974k]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

Guys, let me know how this works out. A guy told me a long time ago bearing walls run in the same direction as the driveway, generally

 

[Matt The Hammer]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

Guys, let me know how this works out. A guy told me a long time ago bearing walls run in the same direction as the driveway, generally

Don't use that as gospel.

Have someone look at it.

 

[southalabama]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

"Same direction as the driveway"

Wtf?

Perhaps autocorrect filled that one in.

 

[BillK]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

Gum,
Can you get into the attic to see whether you have trusses or joists ? That will probably tell you quite a bit. Also, like Zeke said, what is below it ? I would say if there is any question at all it would be worth paying someone who knows to tell you for sure.

 

[laser3kw]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

Guys, let me know how this works out. A guy told me a long time ago bearing walls run in the same direction as the driveway, generally

"Same direction as the driveway"

Wtf?

Perhaps autocorrect filled that one in.

hope my house doesn't fall in. I have a load bearing wall - the main one - that runs perpendicular. Hell, the whole long run of my house is perpendicular to the driveway.

 

[Matt The Hammer]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

What if you don't have a driveway?

Oh ****, I better get my kids out now.

 

[nehog]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

What if you don't have a driveway?

Oh ****, I better get my kids out now.

Whoa, don't panic: in your case all walls are load bearing. That's covered in exception 2.1.a. The kids can stay.

 

[Tweeker]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

It will have a double top plate if bearing a load. The non-bearing may still be nailed to the truss.

 

[MagnumForce]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

Guys, let me know how this works out. A guy told me a long time ago bearing walls run in the same direction as the driveway, generally

That's a joke, right?

 

[lynnbilodeau]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

That's a joke, right?

I was thinking the same thing. Surely, this is a misquote. No one can be that stupid.

 

[The Cobbler]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

parallel to the driveway? LOL

 

[Zeke]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

What if you have a circular driveway? Now every wall is bearing!

 

[jmlcolorado]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

What if you have a circular driveway? Now every wall is bearing!

Only if the walls are round


Good advice above OP. Double top plate, stacked on wall below, perpendicular to truss direction. But the best way to check is to pull it out and see if the roof sags.


Welcome aboard! And you'll get used to all the smart asses around here

 

[Baada]

Without seeing a picture I have no idea if this will help you or not? My friend had a very similar situation in a kitchen he was remodeling and asked me to look to see if the L wall was load bearing. Since he had already removed some of the drywall we were able to see that they had installed the L wall after they had drywalled the ceiling so it was pretty obvious that it was added later and not load bearing.

 

[JMartel]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

What if you have a circular driveway? Now every wall is bearing!

Only the ones that are tangential at 45 deg offsets from the main street. Don't you know building code?

 

[House]

I am a carpenter by trade and I have a video here that may help you with identifying if your wall could be load bearing. If you have any doubts though it would be best to have a pro come have a quick look for you. Hope this can help you out.

 

[texas webb]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

It will have a double top plate if bearing a load. The non-bearing may still be nailed to the truss.

Sometimes,but not always.Better to verify first.

 

[terry603]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

Guys, let me know how this works out. A guy told me a long time ago bearing walls run in the same direction as the driveway, generally

not for my house, I can't believe someone would say this

 

[House]

Re: Determining if a wall is load bearin

Guys, let me know how this works out. A guy told me a long time ago bearing walls run in the same direction as the driveway, generally

Are you serious???? That ...I would never trust!!

 

[RVDan]

Double top plate doesn't prove it, we use double top plates on everything just to make it the right height.