How To Spot Load Bearing Wall

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alicia
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How To Spot Load Bearing Wall

Postby alicia » Thu Oct 20, 2011 1:48 pm

Hi

Wonder if anyone able to offer some basic advice. I want to take out a small wall in the kitchen to open it up more. The house is quite old and I am pretty certain the wall I want to take out isn´t load bearing but just want to be absolutely sure. Any simple ways of spotting these in an old Spanish house???

Would appreciate any help from more learned people.

Thanks

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gerryh
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Re: How To Spot Load Bearing Wall

Postby gerryh » Thu Oct 20, 2011 2:28 pm

I think without actually looking at your house it would be difficult to guess whether or not the wall is load bearing.
How thick is the wall?
Generally speaking load bearing wall, in old properties were thick.
What do you think is above the wall?
How small is the wall?
Do you have a pitched roof?
If so is the wall in the same line as the pitch of the roof?
If so probably not load bearing.

Cheers
Gerry
Gerry Harris

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hillybilly
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Re: How To Spot Load Bearing Wall

Postby hillybilly » Thu Oct 20, 2011 3:16 pm

If the wall in question runs parallel to the floor (or roof/ceiling beams if single storey) beams above (you may have to expose them from below or above to check) then it is most likely not load-bearing. Beams usually span the smallest dimension of the room btw... If in doubt...don't do it :wink:


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