Loadbearing

[Purse]

I would like to ask the question as to whether there is an easy way to identify a loadbearing wall.

I ask as there a couple of small walls i would like to take to with a sledgy, but before i front the expense for a builder to come in, i would like to take a look myself.

If the walls are clearly loadbearing, then i wont bother getting a builder in. If they turn out to look as though they can be taken out, paying the builder will be worth the expense.

I know re-inforcing and alike can be done to allow a load bearing wall to be "adjusted" but that just sounds expensive and i would be happy to leave them as they are.

Thanks in advance

[namtrak]

This question gets asked a bit, and my feeling is that if you can't figure if it is a loadbearing wall then you probably want to reconsider doing anything about it.

Having said that though, have a look up in the roof and see what sort of weight sits on the wall. Photos are always handy. In particular your looking for struts from the roof down to the celing and the direction of joists and where they sit. Also any hanging beams (wider beams running over the top of and perpindicular to the joists)

Cheers

[Purse]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I do have an idea of what to look for, just wanting to gather as much info as i can in regards to the subject. Tricks of the trade for want of a better term.

[silentC]

If the top plate is clear for the length of the wall, then there's a fair chance it isn't load bearing. If there are any timbers sitting on it, then it probably is load bearing. However it could be a bracing wall, so you really need to look at it in conjunction with the surrounding walls etc. In short, no there isn't an easy way.