Many construction and remodeling projects want to create spacious floor plans with lots of natural light. Unfortunately, there are often load-bearing walls in the way.
Load-bearing walls are the structural backbone of a building. And working with them is a serious business. Removing or replacing a load-bearing wall can negatively affect the strength of the entire building, if done incorrectly.
Luckily, you can do it safely if you know how to identify a load bearing structure and replace it with a beam capable of supporting the same weight.
Read on to learn what factors you need to consider to design, build or remove a load-bearing wall in your next project.
What Is a Load-Bearing Wall?
Load-bearing walls support the weight of the structure above them. Also known as structural walls, they evenly distribute the weight of a roof or upper stories across the structure and to the foundation.
Load-bearing walls are usually made of durable materials like concrete, brick, stone, steel or lumber.
An improperly installed load-bearing wall can lead to sagging floors and ceilings, bulging or cracked walls, and misaligned doors and windows. More severe consequences include an uneven or sagging roof, foundation cracks or even structural collapse.
Such issues not only create unsafe living conditions but can also significantly reduce property value.
How to Tell if a Wall Is Load Bearing
Determining whether a wall is load-bearing or not requires investigation. Use the following tips to confirm what type of wall you’re working with before starting the project.
- Check the Blueprints: A blueprint or architectural plan can help identify load-bearing wall construction. Walls labeled with an “S” indicate structural, load-bearing elements. Also, look for thicker lines or hatch patterns that designate materials like steel, concrete or brick, which are common for a load bearing structure. Even with a blueprint, it is essential to conduct a visual inspection to ensure the drawing matches the current structure. Changes made during construction or remodeling may have altered the original plans.
- Look at the Wall’s Location: All exterior walls are load-bearing walls. A wall that runs down the center of a building may also be a load bearing structure that supports the weight of the roof.
- Look for Perpendicular Floor Joists: Interior walls that run perpendicular to floor joists, trusses and beams are often—but not always—load-bearing walls. If purlin bracing is attached to the top of a wall or is supported by a wall, it is a load bearing structure.
- Look at the Wall’s Materials and Structure: Although a partial wall with a beam may appear to be non-load-bearing, that is rarely the case. If a partial wall contains a beam, the beam is a support structure for the weight that spans the opening above. Walls constructed from concrete, bricks or blocks may be load-bearing, especially if they are exterior walls. However, not all masonry walls — including manufactured veneer stone — are designed to carry loads. Also, walls that end in supports or columns are likely to be load bearing.
- Ask a Structural Engineer: If you are new to the process, a licensed structural engineer can be a valuable partner who can help you identify load-bearing walls and develop a strategy for working with them. Maintaining the structural integrity of the building and a safe work environment is paramount.
How to Safely Work with Load-Bearing Walls
The key to working with load-bearing walls is to provide temporary support that carries the weight of the roof and upper structures while you work. You will also need to be mindful of rerouting ductwork, electrical wiring and plumbing that may be concealed behind the drywall.
The following steps will help you safely work with load-bearing wall construction, ensuring your project remains structurally sound and functional.
1. Identify All Load-Bearing Walls
Before you start work, be sure you have identified all structural walls. Use the list above to determine if a wall is load-bearing.
2. Get a Building Permit
Local authorities often require a building permit when working on load-bearing walls. This requirement is because work to these walls alters the structure of the building. You may need to submit a detailed plan outlining the temporary support system — as well as the final design — and undergo inspections.
Although the process can be complex and time-consuming, it is necessary for ensuring compliance, minimizing liability and providing expert oversight for your project.
This planning stage is also a good time to review Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards to ensure a safe, healthy working environment at the project site.
3. Plan Ahead and Get Help with Beam Sizing
When removing a load-bearing wall, the structural support it provides must be replaced to maintain integrity.
You have two options:
- A horizontal beam alone.
- A horizontal beam supported by one or more vertical posts or columns.
In the planning stage, you will also need to determine the appropriate size of the new support beam. Span tables and wood beam calculators can assist with this effort. However, they can be difficult to use as they involve a myriad of factors: lumber type, size, grade, load conditions and deflection limits. Consulting a structural engineer at this stage may be a worthy investment.
Keep in mind that a simple two-by-four is not sufficient as a support beam. Instead, you can construct a heavy-duty beam by layering multiple solid pieces of lumber or use laminated veneer lumber, which provides greater strength than dimensional lumber of the same size.
4. Install Temporary Support During Demolition and Construction
Temporary support must be installed before any part of a load-bearing wall is removed to ensure stability. Be sure to follow local building code.
The support should evenly distribute the load. This can be achieved by building temporary brace walls on both sides of the load-bearing wall. Place them about 3-4 feet on either side to provide adequate support while allowing enough space to work.
Brace walls can be made using two-by-eights or two-by-10s for the ceiling and floor plates, with two-by-fours placed beneath ceiling joists as braces. These studs can be positioned vertically or at an angle but should not be forced into place. Instead, use shims to create a snug fit. Attach the studs to the plates for easy removal when the work is complete.
5. Install a New Load-Bearing Wall Beam
Once the old load-bearing wall is removed, you are ready to install the new permanent beam. This is not a one-person job, so be sure to enlist help. It may be helpful to use aerial (mobile elevated work platform) equipment to safely work at height if the ceilings are particularly high.
- Install King Studs and Attach Ledgers: Start by installing floor-to-ceiling king studs at both ends of the opening. Then attach temporary support ledgers to the inside face of each king stud. These ledgers, designed to hold the beam in place while jack studs are installed, should be slightly wider than the beam.
- Place and Secure the Beam: After confirming the beam is sized correctly, lift it into place. Then, rest it on the support ledgers. To hold it in place, add temporary side cleats made from studs on both sides of the king studs. Press the beam firmly against the ceiling, using shims if necessary to achieve a tight, level and plumb fit. Then, wedge jack studs at both ends.
- Reinforce the Framework: Once the beam is secure, remove the ledgers and cleats. Fasten the beam to the ceiling support. Reinforce the framework by attaching the beam to the jack studs with metal hurricane strips.
- Remove the Temporary Support: When you are certain the beam is supporting the load, remove the temporary brace walls.
Remove or Repair Load-Bearing Walls with Equipment from Herc Rentals
Working with load-bearing wall construction is a big job. Cut the work down to size with the right equipment. When your next project calls for load-bearing walls to be removed or replaced, trust the equipment experts at Herc Rentals to gear up.
At Herc Rentals, we know that structural work requires a variety of tools. You’ll need light construction tools like drywall sanders to make the job less labor intensive. Or, if the project is a room addition, you may need reliable earthmoving equipment to create a stable foundation. And don’t forget about all the dust and debris, you’ll need to keep the site clean and safe with high quality vacuums and dust control solutions.
Explore our lineup of equipment to help you get the job done efficiently and safely. Or call 888-777-2700 to speak with an equipment specialist today.
