All about load bearing walls

One of the biggest concerns for home owners who decide to begin a renovation project is a load bearing wall. As the phrase itself suggests, a load bearing wall is a very important part of your home’s structure. One wrong move concerning a load bearing wall, and the entire structure would collapse. If your renovation project involves tearing down walls, you have to consult a professional about it first to make sure the structural integrity of your home is protected.

Identifying a load bearing wall

Identifying a load bearing wall is probably the most crucial part of a major renovation project. You don’t want to be touching a wall that could cause your home to collapse, so unless you yourself are an architect, engineer or any kind of building professional, it is highly recommended that you let professionals do it. They are the only people who are qualified to tell you which walls can be torn down and which walls should never be touched in any way. With a thorough inspection of your home, these building professionals will also know what to do to replace the load-bearing support if the renovation plans unavoidably include tearing down a load bearing wall.

What load bearing wall removal involves

If your renovation plans call for the removal of a load bearing wall, the installation of new load bearing and grounding points will be absolutely necessary. In addition, weight bearing headers like columns and soffits will also have to be put up between the two to ensure the safety of the structure. Only then can you begin tearing down that load bearing wall.

Hire professionals for load bearing wall removal

Some home owners may think about going the DIY route when it comes to load bearing wall removal, but what we strongly recommend is to hire professionals—yes, plural—for the job. To fully capture what you want for the renovation in general, an experienced architect and engineer will have to draw up the plans, especially for the removal of a load bearing wall. To implement that plan, you will need a reliable builder, whom you can trust to demolish the load bearing wall and construct the new elements according to the plan.

Of course, a renovation project will also require the services of other professionals. If the renovation affects water pipes, their removal and installation must be handled by a professional plumber. Professional electricians should also be hired to take care of removing wirings that will be affected by the renovation and moving them somewhere else. When all construction work is done, you have to get professional painters to transform the room’s final look according to your preferences.

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