Knocking down walls

[billandtedsexcellentadventure]

How can I tell if walls are load bearing or not? Thank you

Get a structural engineer out to check. It will cost a few nurses pounds but well worth it.

If you are really not sure then consult a structural engineer.

In the UK a stud wall (hollow wall) in theory should not be structural.

If you can get into your loft and find which way your joists run then the structural wall should run opposite (so they create a cross with the wall supporting all the joists lying across it). Anything the runs along under a single joist should not be a supporting wall.

Supporting walls tend to run in the middle of the house (if its a standard small terrace/semi etc...) and are usually directly above each other in a 2 or more story house.

If you post a floor plan I could give you the most logical educated guess but you should probably still consult an expert.

Get a structural engineer.

There was a thread on here recently from someone who took out a 'non structural' stud wall, only to discover a previous owners dodgy building work had affected how the house was supporting itself and it was actually load bearing.

Definitely get a structural engineer out!

Our house is square and seems to only have a supporting wall in the very middle! Very strange. Only an expert can tell for sure.

@billandtedsexcellentadventure is this a property you own and are living in, or are you viewing and looking at the floorplan?

@housethatbuiltmethank you

@FedUpandEatingChocolateyes this is mine!!

@martinisforeveryoneits my own house

@housethatbuiltmetheres two walls running in the same direction as the joists. But there is a stud wall which is going against them which is making me question it.

You can tell by the way it runs in relation to the joists but if you're not 100% sure I would always get a structural engineer to give you a firm answer. Don't risk it!