How to Tell if Stone Wall Is Load Bearing before Restoration

How to Tell if Stone Wall Is Load Bearing before Restoration. A stone wall in a warehouse district building.

Homeowners often get carried away by the thought of a house change or remodeling an old one, so much so that they want the changes made quickly. Often without taking the time to consider all aspects of renovating a house. 

A house remodel with stone walls is always an adventure and a challenge, but like any other adventure, it can go wrong if not handled properly. Most homeowners dive right into the process with no idea of what needs to be done and occasionally try DIY methods when remodeling, which should not be done if lacking the skills.

Considerations like determining whether a permit or contract is required and the functionality of the layout is important. Also, changes to the layout, such as whether the stone walls need to be removed or whether they are load bearing, must be carefully considered. 

For these tasks, you will require the services of a professional like DC Byers in Grand Rapids. Professionals with extensive experience in all aspects of home remodeling and renovation have valuable knowledge of stone walls and will know whether they are load-bearing.

What Is a Load-Bearing Stone Wall?

A load-bearing stone wall is a wall in a building that serves as an active structural component, bearing the weight of the elements on top of it. The load-bearing stone wall is the primary support for the slabs and other elements of the building above. A load-bearing stone wall is an essential component of a building, and while it is possible to construct a building without one, it is not the safest option.

Remodeling your home can be tricky and sometimes difficult. To avoid structural failure and future accidents after changing the layout of your building during remodeling, you must be very sure and completely confident that the walls to be restored or repaired are load bearing or not.

How to Tell if a Stone Wall Is Load Bearing

There are a few ways to determine whether a stone wall is load bearing, but it is best to consult a professional to fully determine and eliminate any doubts. Check if your roof has trusses. Trusses are beams found on your roof. Partitioned walls do not extend upwards and are not supported by roof trusses.

Does the building have two or more floors? Does one of the first-floor walls have a second-floor wall directly on top of it? The walls above them do not support partition walls on the first floor. Most of the time, you cannot see the beams and columns in an old stone house, indicating that the stone wall supports the intended slab, making it load bearing.

When repairing a wall, always ensure there is a plan to temporarily distribute the weight of the building until the remodeling is completed or a permanent substitute for the wall is installed. Nothing could be more disastrous than completing your remodeling project only to have it crashing down because of being unsupported by a load-bearing wall.

A stone wall should only be repaired by a professional who understands the job and what is needed. Contacting us at DC Byers in Grand Rapids is a simple and stress-free way to determine whether a wall is a load-bearing. We are a company with many years of experience and can determine if a wall is a load-bearing. 

We are always ready to advise you on the best action to take during repairs and restoration. If you have any questions about load-bearing walls, please contact DC Byers in Grand Rapids at 616-538-7300.

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