Unload the Weight: Pro Tips for Safely Removing a Load Bearing Wall

Removing a load bearing wall is something that can be done by a homeowner, but it is a very serious task that will require time, skill, and extra care. As the wall is crucial in supporting your home’s structure, an incorrect removal could cause permanent structural damage. Before demolition, work with a professional to calculate the load of the ceilings, floors, and roof, as well as any additional loads caused by storage in an attic or snow.

There are a few things to consider while removing load bearing walls. The wall will likely run perpendicular to your floor or ceiling, though some may run parallel to your floor joists. If this is the case, the wall could be hiding columns or posts, so exercise caution and check carefully before removing anything. After creating the opening, a beam will need to be installed to accept load from above, and should be placed on top of a solid bearing material such as a spread footing, wood beam, thickened slab, or steel.

The new beam should also be sized properly by a professional. If the beam is incorrectly sized, the structure could collapse over time. The beam can be hidden into the ceiling in some cases, as long as it is not taller than the ceiling or floor joists and does not interfere with existing utilities. If that is not an option, the beam can be placed on top of the floor joists.

To do this, you will need to construct a temporary support wall on both sides of the opening to provide room to work. The beam should be slid into place against the old wall before completing the removal. Doing this removal correctly means removing the wall piece by piece, and requires caution and attentiveness. To ensure that you do it correctly, and avoid any significant damage to your home, you may want to consider enlisting the help of a few friends or family members. All in all, following a few tips can help you to make sure that your load bearing wall removal is done correctly and safely.