Support Wall or Not?

DelS · 02-23-2009, 01:17 PM

We recently purchased a small fixer upper built in 1963. The house is approx 20 ft front to back with the trusses running from the peak to the front and back. It is a small house and measures less than 30 ft from side to side.

There is a wall separating the kitchen and living room that we would like to remove. We've looked in the attic and there does not appear to be any ties in from the roof to anywhere around this wall. Is it possible that this will not be a support wall and that the only support for the roof would be the trusses themselves? It would save us a lot of work if that were so!

jerryh3 · 02-23-2009, 01:24 PM

Can you take pictures.

buletbob · 02-23-2009, 01:28 PM

There's a possibility that those trusses were designed to rest on that wall. I would consult with a structural engineer. BOB

**Termite** · 02-23-2009, 03:14 PM

Bob's definately correct. Trusses often have center or off-center bearing points engineered into them.

Are you sure you have trusses? A lot of people mistakenly use the term trusses when actually describing rafters, ceiling joists, and supporting roof structure.

skymaster · 02-23-2009, 04:33 PM

could be collar ties not trusses. That old seems unlikely they are trussed

DelS · 02-24-2009, 11:12 AM

Thanks for the replies every one. It looks like I'm going to have to get some pictures of this to begin and possibly contact an engineer. LOL Maybe I'll just put it off for a while- might make life easier now!
Thanks again!

02-23-2009, 01:17 PM	#1
DelS Newbie Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2	Support Wall or Not? We recently purchased a small fixer upper built in 1963. The house is approx 20 ft front to back with the trusses running from the peak to the front and back. It is a small house and measures less than 30 ft from side to side. There is a wall separating the kitchen and living room that we would like to remove. We've looked in the attic and there does not appear to be any ties in from the roof to anywhere around this wall. Is it possible that this will not be a support wall and that the only support for the roof would be the trusses themselves? It would save us a lot of work if that were so!

02-23-2009, 01:24 PM	#2
jerryh3 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,802	Support Wall or Not? Can you take pictures.

02-23-2009, 01:28 PM	#3
buletbob BUILDER / REMODELING CONT Join Date: May 2008 Location: LONG ISLAND N.Y Posts: 1,543	Support Wall or Not? There's a possibility that those trusses were designed to rest on that wall. I would consult with a structural engineer. BOB

02-23-2009, 03:14 PM	#4
Termite Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 6,520	Support Wall or Not? Bob's definately correct. Trusses often have center or off-center bearing points engineered into them. Are you sure you have trusses? A lot of people mistakenly use the term trusses when actually describing rafters, ceiling joists, and supporting roof structure.

02-23-2009, 04:33 PM	#5
skymaster Custom Cabinet Maker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Netcong NJ Posts: 1,097	Support Wall or Not? could be collar ties not trusses. That old seems unlikely they are trussed

Support Wall or Not?