Load Bearing or Not
5/1/2013 at 5:41:25 PM
I have a 10 ft long wall I want to remove to open up a space of 23ft by 23ft. I have w trusses made out of 2x4s and gangnailed plates. They are spaced 24 inchs on center.
I am in a one story bungalow. There is nothing in the basement below underneath it. My floor support beam in basement is 3 2x8s that run lenth of house 42ft. The house was built in 1970.
Would it be safe to remove or should I and structure first?
5/2/2013 at 10:02:09 AM
Hi Kirby,
Call a structural engineer. You are going to need drawings for permits anyway and you really want a pro to sign off on this type of thing - its only holding up your house after all.
Good Luck with it!
Jim Kuzma
Kettleby Handyman Services
5/5/2013 at 8:19:44 PM
According to your description, this wall might just be a stand alone framed wall because most homes built around that time were engineered roof trusses like today and the load bearing was induced on the exterior walls.
My parents home is a split level as well and the bungalow portion had no supporting load bearing walls in the centre either. I removed all the walls in that area to open the space because the roof trusses were supported by the exterior walls only. However, there are some factors you have to take into account such as age of trusses, condition of wood, span and distance of supports, size and pitch of the roof, and ensure the amount of shingles are not overwhelming because that adds weight too.
Another alternative could be to add posts and a beam, but that would have to be installed below to support that. this might run up the cost.
Good luck and take care.
Johnny
Avid Contracting
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