Now that you have unlimited youtube videos teaching you the stepwise method of knocking down a wall doesn’t mean you are ready to take up a project as critical as Load-Bearing Wall Removal. There’s a lot that requires careful consideration before making structural alterations in a building, out of which load-bearing wall removal stands the most important one!
For all those who do not know, a load-bearing wall is the one that lends support to the structure running above the wall, demolishing which can bring down the whole structure if significant support isn’t provided to the remaining mount. So whenever you decide to tear down a load-bearing wall, Beam Installation is of prime importance that must be put in place to provide temporary support to the rest of the frame.
Here’s the sequence in which you should proceed when thinking of load-bearing wall removal
Find out whether the wall is load bearing or not
Whenever you decide to remove any wall of the building, the primary step is to assess whether it’s load-bearing or non-load-bearing wall. The best way to find this out is to seek professional assistance since they are the master of this trade. Otherwise, simple math says that the walls running perpendicular to the joists (horizontal structure of the house frame) are usually load-bearing walls. Also, the external walls are mostly load-bearing walls by default. And the ones running parallel to the joists are the non-bearing walls that can be brought down without giving much thought and consideration.
Obtain required permits and permissions
To execute a load-bearing wall removal, you require certain permits and permission from the authorised bodies. Load-bearing walls are the main walls giving your building the structure and design it has. So whenever you plan to bring down a load-bearing wall, it amounts to structural modification and calls for permits from the structural engineer. If any other elements are involved, such as plumbing or electrical parameters, you may be required to seek permits from those departments as well.
If you are clueless about the whole thing, again, the best resort is to seek professional assistance. Being in the field, they are expected to know the line of sequence that must be followed by load-bearing wall removal.
Know what’s behind the wall cavity
Before knocking down the wall, it’s essential to note what’s inside the wall cavity. It could be plumbing pipes, electrical wires or air conditioning ducts. A suitable resort is to position a bulkhead to provide a fair solution to the existing provisions. If you are clueless about this process, you can start by inspecting your home plans to find out about these little details. If they are not readily available, be sure to secure them either from the local council or the previous owner of the house (In case you bought it from them).
Hire an expert Professional
Last but not least is to hire a professional of reasonable expertise. Afterall, demolishing a load-bearing wall is way more than just knocking the wall and bringing it down. A lot might be placed behind the wall, plus a wall providing decent support to the entire frame must be removed, taking suitable precautions.
Even if you know the entire load-bearing wall removal process, there’s a huge difference between knowing and doing the task with precision and proficiency. So, one thing that remains most important in the entire process is to let a certified professional handle the task of tearing down the wall. It involves a lot of complexities that only an experienced professional would be able to deal with, even after you’ve been provided with a lot of guided blogs and videos.
Take Away
Removing a load-bearing wall requires proper planning and execution and it isn’t a project that can be undertaken randomly. In case of improper execution, you may have to face the consequences of having sagging ceilings and uneven floors that can go to a point where you run a risk of getting the whole building collapsed. So keep in mind the points we have mentioned in this blog and don’t forget to take the necessary precautions and measures as you plan to bring the structural alteration to your premises.