Tell If A Wall Is Load Bearing From The Attic

Generally when the wall in question runs parallel to the floor joists above it is not a load bearing wall.

Tell if a wall is load bearing from the attic.

If the wall is located directly under the attic you can go up there to study the positions of the beams and joists. If it is a small home usually roof framing is in one direction only north south or east west. Most load bearing walls will support the floor or walls above it. Assess your basement look in your basement or crawl space for steel beams or joists.

Blueprints are always a great place to look. If you have walls built in the same place on each floor of the home those walls are all most likely load bearing. Load bearing walls cross roof beams in a perpendicular direction. The best way to tell if a wall is load bearing is to go in the attic ceiling space to see if there is any framing joists rafers trusses supported by that wall.

Using this technique you ll get a better idea of the location of the load bearing walls in your house. If the wall is parallel above the joists it s most likely not a load bearing wall. As you scan the house from the basement to the attic you will get a good idea of the blueprint. Be extra careful with the walls that have other walls above it.

But if the wall runs perpendicular at a 90 degree angle to the joists there is a good chance that it is load bearing.