How to Tell If a Wall is Load Bearing

Structural walls hold buildings upright and prevent the walls, flooring, and roof from collapsing in on themselves. Determining which walls in your property are load bearing is important when exploring remodeling plans, particularly when considering adding a new level or an opening (like a doorway), or when removing a wall to open up two separate rooms.

Before removing any wall in a property, you should check whether it’s load bearing first. A load bearing wall can be removed (both partially and fully). But the weight must be redistributed first or reinforced in other ways (like via the addition of special building materials, like a steel beam).

There are ways to check if a wall is load bearing by inspecting the surroundings or checking the blueprints of a property. However, you should not determine if a wall is load bearing and/or remove it without consulting a professional first.

Improper removal of structural walls can make your entire house unsafe to be in and lower its resale value. It can also cause very costly issues with the roof, floor, and general structural integrity of the rooms.

Keep reading to learn more about what load bearing walls are and how to identify load bearing walls.

What is a Load Bearing Wall?

Load bearing walls (also known as LBWs or structural walls) are designed to support the structure of a building and the weight of its upper levels, including the roof and/or second floor. Removing a load bearing wall without reinforcing the structure in other ways compromises the structural integrity of a building.

Generally, removing a load bearing wall won’t cause a house to immediately fall down. But the building will no longer be stable or safe to be in and, over time, can start to collapse in on itself. Other problems will also begin to appear when a structural wall is improperly removed, like roof leaks and unlevel flooring.

Exterior walls are always load bearing, but interior walls are not. An interior wall is usually only load bearing if it’s in the center of a property, or if it used to be an external wall before an addition/extension was installed.

How Do You Know if a Wall is Load Bearing?

There are several ways to tell if a wall is load bearing or suitable for removal without proper reinforcement. Firstly, the appearance is different. Structural walls have a larger frame than non-load bearing walls. A non-load bearing wall is typically around 2 inches wide and load bearing walls are between 6-18 inches wide.

Load bearing walls will also usually have a beam, joist, or another wall positioned directly above or below it. You can often find floor joists or ceiling beams by looking in the basement or attic, or by inspecting the positioning of walls on the upper and lower levels.

Any wall directly attached to the foundation is a structural wall. This means all external walls are structural and any wall that used to be an external wall before an extension was installed.

You can also check the property’s blueprints for information on whether a wall is load bearing. As a standard practice, all load bearing walls are labeled “S” on blueprints. If you’re unsure whether a wall provides structural support, ask a surveyor to inspect the property and advise.

In summary, here’s how to tell if a wall is load bearing:

• Check its size – Load bearing walls are significantly thicker than a non-load bearing wall (at least 6 inches wide, compared with 2 inches)
• Look for surrounding joists or beams – Floor joists or ceiling beams directly above a wall are a sign that the wall is load bearing
• See if walls on all floors align – A wall appearing in the same place on all floors is a sign the wall is load bearing
• Check blueprints – All structural walls will be marked with an “S”
• Seek professional help – If you’re unsure, ask a professional surveyor to inspect the property and correctly identify which walls are structural

What is an Example of Load-Bearing Walls?

Examples of load bearing walls include solid masonry walls, cavity walls, and faced walls. These walls transfer the weight and pressure of the structure from the top levels to the foundation in different ways.

Cavity walls are constructed by erecting two walls (called an external leaf and internal leaf) with a space between them. At least 2 inches must be left between the two walls to provide structural integrity. Not all cavity walls are load-bearing, but they can be made structural if the correct brick and mortar are used.

Solid masonry walls are typically exterior walls built with concrete blocks or bricks joined together with mortar or grout. Despite being usually found on the exterior of the property (making them structural walls), masonry walls can also be interior walls that are not load bearing.

Faced walls are typically load-bearing walls. These are constructed with a facing and backing made from two different materials bonded together. The way they are bonded makes them strong enough to hold the pressure and load of a building.

Examples of non-load bearing walls include partition walls, temporary walls, brick walls, hollow brick walls, facade brick walls, and hollow concrete block walls.

How Much of a Load-Bearing Wall Can Be Removed?

Always use caution when considering the removal of a load bearing wall. Being structural walls, they are necessary to protect the structural integrity of the property. Improper removal can cause severe issues with the floor or roof structure, leading to problems like roof leaks, uneven flooring, and, in extreme cases, the building collapsing into itself.

In theory, you can remove any portion of a load-bearing wall, including a small amount, a large section, or the entire wall. The most important thing to do before/during removal is to ensure the weight is redistributed to shift the load elsewhere.

For example, you can remove a proportion of a load bearing wall to extend a room or create a new opening (like a doorway), but the above loads need to be shifted. Adding a steel beam or support column is the best way to redistribute the weight and ensure the wall can continue to hold the pressure of the first floor.

Can a 2×4 Wall Be Load Bearing?

Generally, no, a 2×4 wall will not be load bearing. Most load bearing walls are at least 6 inches wide, so any smaller than this is unlikely to be a structural support for the building. However, it’s still important to check other aspects of the wall before determining if it’s load bearing.

Some framed 2×4 walls can be structural. Check for beams, joists, or walls directly above or below the wall first, particularly if the property has been extended. If you’re unsure if a wall is load bearing, check the blueprints or seek professional help.

Do I Need a Structural Engineer to Remove a Load Bearing Wall?

You can DIY the removal of a structural wall, but you should always consult a professional surveyor, architect, or structural engineer first. Because the integrity of the building is at stake, a mistake can lead to severe issues. Such issues are usually costly to fix and can impact the safety and resale value of a property.

Assessing whether a wall is load bearing can be done upon inspection, but it’s best to check the blueprints or hire a professional to be certain. When checking blueprints, ensure they are accurate and up to date.

For example, if an addition or extension was made to the property, the changes should be on the blueprints. If they are not, the blueprints should not be trusted, as the structural walls may have been changed or reinforced in other ways.

When an architect or surveyor inspects a property, they will assess the structure of the building, its foundation, beams, joists, surrounding walls, and the integrity of any additions/extensions to determine which walls are load bearing. They can also advise how much weight/pressure the walls will hold and provide recommendations on the best ways to achieve your remodel.

Summary

Learning what is a load bearing wall and what isn’t is important when purchasing an investment property or remodeling an existing home. Removing a load bearing wall without properly reinforcing the above weight and surrounding structure can cause complex issues that are costly to fix. The best ways to determine if a wall is load bearing are to check blueprints, inspect the surroundings, and seek professional help.