Removing wall

[DrBDC]

Any structural engineers or home builders in here? Want to remove a wall and relocate tank but nervous about it. Not a double header wall but would like to get someone to take a quick look and tell me it's ok with some confidence in their voice. [emoji15]


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[EDJFA]

I'm not a structural engineer or a builder, but we just did this in our house. Ours was a load bearing wall, so we wanted to make sure we did it right. We got instructions from two friends on how to do it - one an architect and the other a builder.

Is your house two stories? When you say it's not a double header wall, do you mean it's not a load bearing wall?

If it's not load bearing, that makes the job a bit easier. No less messy, but at least easier.

 

[DrBDC]

It's a L shaped house single story. I have taken the old paneling off that wall to look and just single header 2x4 across top. But in basement below it is a metal I beam. Others in subdivision have done this with same basic floor plan but in 1966 each house could be a bit diff. I think.


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[smoothdog]

If there is a metal beam directly below it, I would definitely get a professional opinion before removing the wall. An I beam below generally indicates load bearing.

 

[mpgrant77]

What is above the wall?(in the attic) Do you have Joists or trusses in your ceiling. 1966 I would assume joists. You then need to see where your joists or trusses are supported. An I-beam directly below does not indicate that it is load bearing; however, it does increase the chances of being load bearing. Typically a load bearing wall will have a double top plate not just the single 2x4 top plate but again those are general practices and we all know that everyone builds to code right. Also does the wall run parallel or perpendicular to your ceiling joists? If parallel with the ceiling joists look to see if a ceiling joists is directly on top of the wall. This scenario would be a very high likely hood of supporting wall. If above the wall there are 2x4's running between the ceiling joists and that is what the top of the wall is nailed to then this is a very low likely hood of supporting wall. If the wall is perpendicular to the ceiling joists it becomes a little more tricky. In this scenario you would typically look for a double top plate at minimum, but you could also see what is know as point loads in this orientation. That usually shows up as several 2x4's nailed together instead of a single stud. If your ceiling is trusses instead of joists then it gets a little trickier to identify supporting walls. In the end if you are not confident I would suggest having a professional come in and look at it.