Jacksonville, FL · Member since 2016 · 25 posts · 3 votes
I am wanting to remove this wall. It doesn't seem like it is weight bearing, but It does seem like it is possible. There are stairs right across from it. Can anyone tell?
Not enough info. Ask around your area and see if you can find a contractor or engineer who could tell you. Keep in mind $100/hour including drive time seems to be aprox. going rate. Course you live on the exact opposite side of the country from me. Good luck.
Whats above it? "load bearing wall" means there is a load on it. Like Eric said, its hard to tell that from what you've provided, but its usually pretty easy to tell from a visual inspection.
Hi Jav, the simplest and safest thing to do would be ask your contractor, engineer, or architect this question. I'm assuming since you've got a set of building plans, at least one or two of those three must be involved? It's hard to give good, accurate advice on here for a situation like that without seeing more of your plans/drawings. Good luck!
It's hard to answer without seeing it in person, the only sure thing is asking an engineer or contractor to look at it. From looking at the drawing I would say it is load bearing, that's why it says stack 3 (2x4) min and build up post. When you said it has a set of stairs across from it I'm assuming they are going to a second story not outside, is that correct?
If floor/ceiling joists run perpendicular to the wall, it will generally be load bearing. You can remove any wall with proper engineering. The cost of doing so most likely will not be worth it, but an opening can be accomplished much easier using headers sized properly. headers can also be designed too suspend a ceiling but not if you have a second floor unless there is another wall directly above your opening. This isn't a DIY thing to do without experience or expertise, as mentioned, get professional help! Arched doors in older homes weren't just for looks, they carried weight as well. Good luck :)
Thanks for the useful response. The wall is made by single 2x4s. I assume the (3) 2x4 are the only weight bearing portion of the wall? So should be able to remove most of the wall if the column is kept in place correct?
You're missing the true answer my friend - none of us can really answer it for you. Who knows if it was actually built per the plans. If you're serious about it, spend a couple of bucks and get a structural engineer out there to inspect it and sign off on what you want to do. Anything can usually be removed and reworked....just a matter of how much you want to spend. When 3 of us say...."sure go ahead and knock it out" and the thing falls down....you won't be very happy and someone here will say "I told you so." A structural engineer...not a contractor or an architect....is who you want....he can then give you the specs in writing for a contractor needs to do to open it up for you. Luck!
Thanks for the useful response. The wall is made by single 2x4s. I assume the (3) 2x4 are the only weight bearing portion of the wall? So should be able to remove most of the wall if the column is kept in place correct?
Don't mean to be rude here, but everyone but one person has said they can't tell if it is load bearing and you need to call a professional. The one person that did offer an opinion said that it WAS load bearing. And now you want to know if it is ok to remove most of the wall?
To echo what others have said, asking about a DIY removal of a wall and asking on a public forum if it is load bearing is a BAD idea. Please, step away from the computer, pick up the phone, and call a professional to come out and look at it. Either that or leave it be.
At a glance, I'd have to say it Is load bearing. This is why you have a structural BM1 header in the wall opening next to it. If the wall weren't load bearing, you wouldn't need that structural header in the opening.
The wall is load bearing. The two posts made up of three posts each hold up a load bearing beam. The 2x4s on the rest of the wall are also load bearing. None of it should be removed without a redesign.
For a professional it would be a very simply redesign.
Just do not start removing the wall studs without a plan.
Well, I made an opening in the wall. I had built a header just incase. I asked a civil engineer I know and they said they didn't think it is weight bearing. Once I got a copy of the plans for the house it did look weight bearing. I guess I will need a structural engineer to find out.
Hey! Do you have any actual pictures of the wall, its framing, and what is above it? That plan view is hard to see on my computer. I live in Jax and can have a look at it if you want....
@Kevin Martin That would be great if you could look at it. Unfortunately, I made the opening about 10 months ago and everything is dry walled over. The house is rented out until March. I was thinking about removing the entire wall once the current tenants move out. I have the plans of the entire house. Its about 25 mbs. Can I send you the file?
cheapest way to find out is hire a framer they frame houses all day if it is load bearing you can get a wooden load bearing beam at your local hardware store you just have to order it and at the same time they will tell you what they charge u to install
it does look load bearing but depending on the span from the support on the right to the wall you might be able to put a beam all the way across the span i think maximum beam lenght is like 21 feet