Can anyone tell me what to look for in a load bearing wall. I have a wall in between my kitchen and dining room that my wife wants me to get rid of. I don't want to collapse the roof.
I'm not sure if there is any good way to find out other than testing while you are in the demolition process. I think I have seen this done before where you cut a piece of lumber to mimic a vertical beam, just below so it fits in easily. When you take out the beam thats in place, see if the lumber is still free to move or if the top has caved in and is carried by your test beam.
I'll have to ask around, but if anyone else knows about this I would like to know too.
One of those areas were it is easier when you can see the problem! To be honest if you are in any doubt ask a builder to take a look. The only advice I can give is take a look at how the timber at the top of the sits in the outside walls. If it looks like a square frame construction then it probably is not bearing, however if the top timber rests on top of the external wall timber it may well be.
You really need to know where your trusses bear down, and the span of the trusses to know if a beam, or wall, in the middle is necessary to support what is above you.
My advice is, if you don't know, contact a contractor. It's worth the initial investment to save you from more expenses in the long run.
Finding out if a wall is load-bearing
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