COMMUNITY FORUM

swalleyi

03:37PM | 10/02/03
Member Since: 10/01/03
2 lifetime posts
Bvdecor
I have a rambaler that was built in 1975. I have a wall in the center of the house that runs north and south and my rafters run east and west. Is this a bearing wall. THANK YOU

DandBil

11:43AM | 10/05/03
Member Since: 10/04/03
2 lifetime posts
Based on what I've read, weight bearing walls typically run perpendicular to ceiling joists. Non bearing walls tend to run parallel to ceiling joists. However, whether you have rafters or trusses supporting your ceiling/roof will also have an effect on the answer to your question.

I have trusses supporting the ceiling/roof in my one-story home, and I am trying to confirm whether an interior wall that runs perpendicular to the trusses is a weight bearing wall or not.


timaia

09:40AM | 10/09/03
Member Since: 10/08/03
3 lifetime posts
Chances are that is the roof is rafters/clg. joists the wall is load bearing. A little investigation above the wall to see if the rafters end will give a definative answer. This can probably be done from the attic, moving the insulation.

k2

04:40PM | 10/09/03
Member Since: 06/06/03
1250 lifetime posts
I'm not an engineer or builder, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't bearing. I agree with previous posts--including checking the attic to see if joists overlap that wall. Also, is it possible to look in the crawlspace (if there is one) to see if there are extra supports under that wall?

OK, the $64000 question....Why do you ask?

swalleyi

03:59AM | 10/10/03
Member Since: 10/01/03
2 lifetime posts
Just wanted to open up my kitchen and living room a little more. I'll have to go in the attic i see. Thank you for the info.

MD-Bob

05:16PM | 10/23/03
Member Since: 10/22/03
18 lifetime posts
You can probably remove the interior wall If your rafters are pre-fabricated roof trusses which normally only bear on the outside walls and require no interior support (common in modern construction). The only way to know is to get into the attic and inspect. If the roof framing is conventional stick built it may require further analysis. In the worst case you may need a truss beam to replace the wall being removed. They can span up to 20' These are basically laminated plywood beams supported on either end by posts that go down to the foundation or slab. Check the basement or crawl space to see if structural support is below. If built on slab there is no way to tell (for sure) if there is bearing below the wall to be removed.


Post a reply as Anonymous

Photo must be in JPG, GIF or PNG format and less than 5MB.

Reply_choose_button

captcha
type the code from the image

Anonymous

Post_new_button or Login_button
Register

Follow Us

horizontal divider
facebook
 
webapp1