Tell If A Wall Is Load Bearing From The Attic

Most load bearing walls will support the floor or walls above it.

Tell if a wall is load bearing from the attic.

Load bearing walls cross roof beams in a perpendicular direction. But if the wall runs perpendicular at a 90 degree angle to the joists there is a good chance that it is load bearing. 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.

However there are cases where a bearing wall is parallel to the joists. See if the wall runs through multiple levels. If you do spot joists in your basement and there is a wall that runs perpendicular this wall is most likely load bearing. As you scan the house from the basement to the attic you will get a good idea of the blueprint.

If it is a small home usually roof framing is in one direction only north south or east west. Be extra careful with the walls that have other walls above it. If the wall is parallel above the joists it s most likely not a load bearing wall. 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.