And the Walls Came Tumbling Down
Posted by by Monmouth County-Monroe Twp News and Real Estate Information on 28th June 2006
Recently some friends of mine had started remodeling their charming 2 story colonial. A new 6 ft. grand entrance that leads into the kitchen was created, nothing remained of the old 36 inch doorway excepts scraps of sheetrock and sawed off 2×4’s. Unfortunately my friend never checked before starting construction and actually cut thru a bearing wall. A bearing wall helps support the weight of the floors and roof above it. The construction of your home will determine which walls are bearing but normally all exterior walls are and many interiors walls can be. The easiest way to tell is to climb up into the attic. If the ceiling joists or rafters are running parallel to the wall you want to remove, it is normally a non-load-bearing wall. If the joists or rafters are perpendicular to the wall, you can be fairly sure the wall is load bearing. If you are uncertain which walls are bearing consult a building professional prior to any modifications. When a bearing wall is removed it can be disastrous if not fully supported prior to the removal. If just a part of a bearing wall is removed the joist will begin to sag as the weight bears down and a collapse is not beyond the realm of possibility. Apparently the fix for this varies depending on the severity. In some cases jacks are used to reposition the joist to level. Furthermore, precautions must be taken to lesson the risk of damage to the surrounding walls, floors and ceilings. Remodeling can be rewarding experience for the do-it-yourselfer if step one involves
precautions and planning. Always consult a professional if you are unsure before starting any project.
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