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Identify Load-Bearing Walls (Structural Check)

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How to Update a 1950's Home - Removing Walls, Remodeling and Creating a DIY Open home floor plan

What happens here

To determine if a wall is load-bearing, perform two key inspections: look beneath the wall and look above the wall. Below the wall, check if there are any supporting structures directly underneath, such as another wall, a beam, or a column in the basement or on the floor below. If there is direct support beneath, it's a strong indicator that the wall above is load-bearing. Above the wall, inspect the roof structure. If the roof comes to a point directly on top of the wall you intend to remove, it indicates that the wall is supporting the roof load.

Goal: Determine if the wall is load-bearing

Tools and materials

  • Flashlight — Illuminating dark spaces in basements or attics during inspection
  • Tape Measure — Measuring distances and identifying alignment of structures