Indentify load bearing walls in basement
#1
04-05-04, 04:32 PM
Indentify load bearing walls in basement
Is it possible for there to be no load bearing walls in the basement? It appears to be only the steal beam riunning the legth of the basemennt, and of course the foundation it ties into, are the only things that reall support anything. I can actually look above the batroom celing down there, and it seems like the entire bathroom could be taken away without even removing anyhting attached to the ground leavel flooring.
#2
04-05-04, 05:15 PM
Is it possible for there to be no load bearing walls in the basement?
It appears to be only the steal beam riunning the legth of the basemennt, and of course the foundation it ties into, are the only things that reall support anything.
.
I can actually look above the batroom celing down there, and it seems like the entire bathroom could be taken away without even removing anyhting attached to the ground leavel flooring
ED
#3
04-05-04, 06:05 PM
Member
I would say that there's an excellent chance that your basement doesn't have load bearing walls.
Most basements I've seen have a beam down the center supported by lally columns and the first floor joists run across the basement supported by the walls and the beam. Any walls in the basement are usually 'curtain' walls and provide no structural support to the first floor joists.
Most basements I've seen have a beam down the center supported by lally columns and the first floor joists run across the basement supported by the walls and the beam. Any walls in the basement are usually 'curtain' walls and provide no structural support to the first floor joists.
#5
04-07-04, 01:53 PM
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on the other hand...
My home has both a steel beam AND load bearing walls. Be especially careful of any walls perpendicular to the joists or any with a joist sitting directly on them (running the length of the wall).
But if you can see that a wall doesn't contact the joists, then it obviously isn't bearing any load.
But if you can see that a wall doesn't contact the joists, then it obviously isn't bearing any load.
#6
04-07-04, 02:19 PM
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caleyg-
That isn't necessarily true in a basement. I've done some basement work where we ran walls perpendicular to the joists, attached the top plates to the joists, but didn't actually take any loads.
The thumb rule about walls perpendicular to joists being load bearing is usually true above the basement. Most basements are designed and built to be as open as possible and all house loads are carried thru the basement walls and thru the lally columns under the center beam.
That isn't necessarily true in a basement. I've done some basement work where we ran walls perpendicular to the joists, attached the top plates to the joists, but didn't actually take any loads.
The thumb rule about walls perpendicular to joists being load bearing is usually true above the basement. Most basements are designed and built to be as open as possible and all house loads are carried thru the basement walls and thru the lally columns under the center beam.
#7
04-07-04, 02:42 PM
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Of course that's true
Of course that is true, but in a forum like this, better to give a caution.
In my basement, I actually have I joists that end on bearing walls. These are also borne on a steel beam halfway across the rest of the basement. But removing that wall would be literally a catastrophe. So I said *be especially careful about*
That's not to say all walls perpendicular to joists are bearing but to say SOME are.
In my basement, I actually have I joists that end on bearing walls. These are also borne on a steel beam halfway across the rest of the basement. But removing that wall would be literally a catastrophe. So I said *be especially careful about*
That's not to say all walls perpendicular to joists are bearing but to say SOME are.
#8
04-15-04, 08:31 AM
basement
Bob, it is to bad that you and Norm, had a falling out. Because if sounds like you could use him now.
Load baring walls on the first floor above the floor joists are usually supported by the floor joists, this is why the floor joist call for such heavy timber.
In most cases, a load baring wall on the first floor will have underneath it two floor joists nailed together to give extra support in that area.
In some cases it does not have to be load baring, if there is a long wall such as a hallway with doors in it and this wall, runs paralell to the floor joist it should have two floor joists nailed back to back, unless, of course, your floor has two by twelve joists in this case their may not be, a doubling of the joists.
Load baring walls on the first floor above the floor joists are usually supported by the floor joists, this is why the floor joist call for such heavy timber.
In most cases, a load baring wall on the first floor will have underneath it two floor joists nailed together to give extra support in that area.
In some cases it does not have to be load baring, if there is a long wall such as a hallway with doors in it and this wall, runs paralell to the floor joist it should have two floor joists nailed back to back, unless, of course, your floor has two by twelve joists in this case their may not be, a doubling of the joists.
