Follow internal walls up through your structure.
If there is another wall, a floor with perpendicular joists, or other heavy construction above it, it is probably a load bearing wall. However, if there is an unfinished space like an empty attic without a full floor, the wall probably is not bearing a load.Building Regulations
Your project may not need planning permission, however, if you are removing a load bearing wall you will need building regulation approval, you can appoint a Building Control Officer from your local council or you can use a private sector approved inspector.A 4.5-inch thick brick wall is provided for partition walls only and should not be more than 7 feet in height. Therefore I recommend that all the walls should be at least 9 inch thick. 4.5-inch thick walls are not structurally safe if they are beyond 7 feet in height or carry some imposed load.
Following are different types of foundations used in construction:
- Shallow foundation. Individual footing or isolated footing. Combined footing. Strip foundation. Raft or mat foundation.
- Deep Foundation. Pile foundation. Drilled Shafts or caissons.
You can remove either type of wall, but if the wall is load bearing, you have to take special precautions to support the structure during removal, and to add a beam or other form of support in its place. Ceiling or floor joists that are spliced over the wall, or end at the wall, mean the wall is bearing.
Take care though, as some types of stud walls are semi-load bearing, particularly in older homes where they are used to help support light or short joists. But this itself is no indication of whether or not the wall is load bearing.
A load bearing wall is one which supports other elements of the building, such as (and most commonly) the: Floor Joists - floor joists are sometimes built into or sitting on top of an internal wall.
Follow internal walls up through your structure
If there is another wall, a floor with perpendicular joists, or other heavy construction above it, chances are that it's a load-bearing wall. However, if there is an unfinished space like an empty attic without a full floor, the wall probably is not bearing a load.If there is a definite hollow ring, the wall is a stud partition made from timber and plasterboard and there will be “dead” spots that correspond to the lines of the stud framework below. But this itself is no indication of whether or not the wall is load bearing.
If you see a paper surface on front and back, with plaster in between, it is wallboard. If you see an indication of wood strips or metal mesk behind the plaster, it is a solid plaster. If it is plywood, you have paneling. Perhaps more important in hanging things is to determine the supporting structure.
Studs form walls and may carry vertical structural loads or be non load-bearing such as in partition walls which only separate spaces. Studs run from sill plate to wall plate.
Take care though, as some types of stud walls are semi-load bearing, particularly in older homes where they are used to help support light or short joists. But this itself is no indication of whether or not the wall is load bearing.
Internal walls are usually defined as walls that divide rooms, as opposed to the insides of the external walls. They come in two distinct types: loadbearing.
Once you find the stud, get out your power drill. A large bit shouldn't be used when drilling into a stud since the stud is strong enough to support the weight of your hanging items without special hardware. Insert the drill and pull it out slowly once you've made your hole into the stud.
If you wish to build a new internal wall, remove an internal wall, or form an opening in an internal wall, building regulations will normally apply. Non-Load bearing - walls that provide separation between rooms and are not required to transfer loads.
If you do live in a listed building, you would be required to pay around £200 to apply for permission. To remove a load-bearing wall, you will need to apply for a building notice through your local authority, which can cost up to £650 to apply along with an inspection for a project under 10 square metres.
Planning permission isn't usually needed for internal alterations unless you live in a listed building. However, an application must be made for Building Regulations if you're removing an internal wall (regardless of whether it is load-bearing or not) or creating a new opening.
- Examine the roof structure from outside.
- Look inside the attic, if possible, to identify the direction in which the rafters or joists travel.
- Enter the basement and inspect the floor joists if possible.
- Look at the wall framing members to identify load-bearing walls.
Generally, when the wall in question runs parallel to the floor joists above, it is not a load-bearing wall. But if the wall runs perpendicular (at a 90-degree angle) to the joists, there is a good chance that it is load-bearing. However, there are cases where a bearing wall is parallel to the joists.
Two of the most common forms of interior wall materials are plaster and drywall. Plaster has been used since ancient times.
Brick is the most common and popular wall building material. They are very durable and require very low maintenance. Walls made of brick cannot be damaged by moisture and chemicals easily and have the ability to survive the extreme climate. Bricks are made of clay which is eco-friendly and doesn't catch fire easily.
If your home was built before 1950, you most likely have traditional lath-and-plaster walls. Wooden lath strips are nailed across the framing and then plaster is applied to them. The plaster that oozes between the lath strips is called the key, which locks the plaster and lath strips together.
Generally, you don't need to apply for planning permission for internal alterations, including removing internal walls. Plus, depending on whether your wall is load-bearing or not, you may need approval from your local council.
Again, suitable for most masonry walls. Dri-Coat Plaster: Dri-coat plaster is a cement-based plaster used when resurfacing a wall after installation of a new DPC. Multi-Finish Plaster: Thistle multifinish is a top coat plaster which is suitable for a great finish on all the other surfaces.
Load-bearing walls are usually made of bricks or blocks. A stud or partition wall, be it plasterboard or lath and plaster, is rarely load-bearing. However, some stud walls are classed as load-bearing if they add to the stability of the structure, even if they aren't holding anything up.
