How do I know if a wall is a support wall? I can see 2x4's from the inside of our attic. Really haven't taken a better look yet. We would like to inlarge the bedrooms. We can also get behind the other wall by goind thru an opening in the closets. Any information is appreciated.

josh1

ah the load bearing wall

there are several ways (none is foolproof) to determine whether a wall is or isn't load bearing

1 check your ceiling joists if they are split on top of the wall in your attic its load bearing

2 check your basement for any posts under the wall to transfer the load but if your house is older beware somtimes owners remove these absent-mindidly

3 if you are still unable to tell check the header above any doors or openings

a 2*6 or larger header probably indicates a load

4 if after this u still can't tell you might need to bring in a building inspector for help sometimes its tricky to determine what a wall does

heres hoping its just an interior partition wall--

hope this helps ----josh