What is a load-bearing wall?
There’s a strong trend in the design of various renovation projects. Traditional spaces are increasingly being decompartmentalized to create open spaces. Whether it’s enlarging a kitchen or bathroom, eliminating a long hallway, or decompartmentalizing a basement or ground floor, load-bearing walls may need to be knocked down.
The demolition of load-bearing walls in houses
When we talk about demolishing a load-bearing wall, we’re talking about the structure. Indeed, we don’t just remove a wall haphazardly. Some walls are load-bearing and require a specific approach to prevent subsidence or, worse, collapse.
Every year, we work with clients who have to deal with the removal of a load-bearing wall that was poorly executed in the past. At ESPÉ, we work closely with structural engineers to ensure the compliant nature of the work carried out.
What is the difference between a load-bearing wall and a non-load-bearing wall?
Load-bearing walls can be found on all levels of the house. Generally, they are more prevalent in wood-frame buildings than in concrete buildings. A wood-frame structure includes floors and ceilings supported by wooden joists, the junction of which is the usual location for load-bearing walls.
These pieces of wood aren’t long enough to run completely through the building. The joists stop roughly in the middle of the building. Therefore, another joist is needed to reach the other side of the building. At the midpoint where the two joists meet, there’s a cross. If you don’t have a wall opposite this cross, you’re in trouble. The wall that crosses these joist junctions is load-bearing. It can’t be removed without replacing it with something else.
The wall is load-bearing, what should we do?
The first step that should NEVER be overlooked is contacting a structural engineer. Their role will be to determine the solution that will replace the load-bearing wall you wish to remove.
Depending on the floor where the wall is removed, its length, and its location in the house, they will specify the procedure to follow.
If a load-bearing wall is removed, it must be replaced with a beam. This beam is horizontal and supports the intersection of the joists. This beam will generally rest on two vertical columns. All the load that was previously supported and distributed on a wall is now concentrated on these two new columns. The foundation of these two columns will be crucial and will be specified by the engineer.
All this without forgetting that during this work, the building must be supported. Before removing the load-bearing wall and installing the solution, temporary shoring must be installed to prevent subsidence during the work.
Can we do this work ourselves?
This is not recommended. We often see errors in the work carried out.
Do I need a permit for this type of work?
Always. By obtaining a permit, the city will record the general contractor’s bid and the engineer’s plan. If, in 20 years, the house sells three times and subsidence occurs, there will be proof that the work was done properly. Rightly or wrongly, a load-bearing wall removed without a plan and without a certified general contractor is an easy target in the case of a hidden defect lawsuit for subsidence.
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