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12-28-2008, 12:12 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 231
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How to determine if it's a load bearing wall?
I have an strange (upside down) "L" shaped wall right in the middle of my bathroom. I have been wondering why it was there other than possible it was a load bearing wall of some sort. I know the basics. Besides the exterior walls, the primary load bearing walls are usually in the middle of the house holding up the joists and usually run perpendicular to the joists. If I have the drywall removed and access to the joists how do I determine if the wall is load bearing?
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12-28-2008, 12:36 PM
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#2
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Theres more then one way.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: N.Y.
Posts: 250
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It seams like you have the common knowledge, maybe posting a picture would be better.
__________________
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~ What was once an opinion, became a fact, to be later proven wrong ~
My current learning experience - 22x22 addition - Work shop, music-room, master bedroom above..
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12-29-2008, 12:17 AM
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#3
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steel baron usa
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 6
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wall
Quote:
Originally Posted by tripower
I have an strange (upside down) "L" shaped wall right in the middle of my bathroom. I have been wondering why it was there other than possible it was a load bearing wall of some sort. I know the basics. Besides the exterior walls, the primary load bearing walls are usually in the middle of the house holding up the joists and usually run perpendicular to the joists. If I have the drywall removed and access to the joists how do I determine if the wall is load bearing?
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Do the joists run with the wall or across it?
also what is width of your bath?
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12-29-2008, 08:28 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Wilmington, DE
Posts: 1,002
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Depends on what is above and below that wall, but it sounds like you are describing a shower alcove to me. If the is major support under the wall or as steelbaron suggests, perpendicular joists above, it might be load load bearing.
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12-29-2008, 08:33 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 231
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Just Bill
Depends on what is above and below that wall, but it sounds like you are describing a shower alcove to me. If the is major support under the wall or as steelbaron suggests, perpendicular joists above, it might be load load bearing.
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There is not another wall on the floor beneath this wall, there are perpendicular joists above. Is there any way to confirm/test?
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12-29-2008, 10:54 AM
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#6
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Building codes guy, Mod
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Kansas City area
Posts: 6,088
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Numerous things have to be taken into consideration to determine if the wall is load bearing. The number one indicator would be that the ends of the joists are located over the wall. If the wall supports a splice, then it is a bearing wall for sure. That being said, even if the joists above aren't spliced then the wall can still be a bearing wall.
To know for sure if the wall is bearing, you need a professional to look at the framing/wall orientation of the home from the attic down.
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12-29-2008, 10:59 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 231
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thekctermite
Numerous things have to be taken into consideration to determine if the wall is load bearing. The number one indicator would be that the ends of the joists are located over the wall. If the wall supports a splice, then it is a bearing wall for sure. That being said, even if the joists above aren't spliced then the wall can still be a bearing wall.
To know for sure if the wall is bearing, you need a professional to look at the framing/wall orientation of the home from the attic down.
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Should this be a contractor or a structural engineer? No joist splice on the wall in fact this small wall is only about 2 feet away from the end of the joists that rest on what I believe to be the primary load bearing wall.
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12-30-2008, 09:58 PM
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#8
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steel baron usa
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 6
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bath wall
Quote:
Originally Posted by tripower
There is not another wall on the floor beneath this wall, there are perpendicular joists above. Is there any way to confirm/test?
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sounds to me like it is not a bearing wall as you would have to have a wall on the floor directly underneath, this is the point to carry the weight through all floors to a footing underneath.
I would not be scared to tear it out if in fact there is not a header directly under it, that would also be another way of distributing the weight.
Hope it goes well
Last edited by AtlanticWBConst.; 12-31-2008 at 07:52 AM.
Reason: SITE RULES VIOLATION: Advertising Link Removed From Signature Line
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12-30-2008, 11:42 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 231
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steel baron usa
sounds to me like it is not a bearing wall as you would have to have a wall on the floor directly underneath, this is the point to carry the weight through all floors to a footing underneath.
I would not be scared to tear it out if in fact there is not a header directly under it, that would also be another way of distributing the weight.
Hope it goes well
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That's what I would assume as well. The wall is only 3 1/2 feet long. It is just so strange to have it stop in the middle of the bathroom like that I could think of no other reason for it to be there.
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