DIY Home Improvement Forum banner

Possible that this wall is load-bearing?

982 views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  ToolSeeker 
#1 ·
So we have plans to renovate the downstairs in our split and I just assumed that there were lally columns so we had the plans done for an open concept. Now I'm not so sure. The walls are thicker than usual but I figured they did that to accommodate the columns but the four holes I punched I couldn't see any and it got me thinking that maybe the center wall is load-bearing and there are no columns. Could this be the case, could this wall hold up the entire upstairs?

Here is the layout as it stands now.

 
See less See more
1
#7 ·
So we have plans to renovate the (already remodeled basement) downstairs in our split and I just assumed that there were lally columns

The walls are thicker than usual but I figured they did that to accommodate the columns but ...
There probably isn't more than one or two columns (and the beam).
Visit your neighbor with similar homes. See where theirs are.

Could this be the case, could this wall hold up the entire upstairs?
That's possible too.
Not likely... but possible.
 
#9 ·
I'm guessing whoever did your plans did not determine if this was a load bearing wall? I'd get them back out there if it were me.

is there a beam under that wall in the basement with lally columns? do the ceiling joists/2nd floor joists terminate over that wall? if so then it's load bearing.

it is uncommon in my experience in Massachusetts that a beam with columns would be installed to support loads above and then build a partition wall to fill in below the beam. Of course I have found those conditions in post-and-beam homes, but as I said it has not been a common occurance on my part.

Where in Mass are you?
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top