The load-bearing wall is an important part of the building structure, which bears the weight and load of the upper floors. Therefore, during the renovation process, the load-bearing walls should be handled carefully so as not to affect the safety of the building.
The method of judging the load-bearing wall
1. Check the architectural drawings
Architectural drawings are the most accurate way to judge a load-bearing wall. In architectural drawings, load-bearing walls are marked with black or bold lines.
2. Observe the thickness of the wall
In general, the thickness of a load-bearing wall is thicker than that of a non-load-bearing wall. In common brick-concrete buildings, the thickness of the load-bearing wall is generally 240mm, while the thickness of the non-load-bearing wall is generally 120mm.
3. Knock on the wall
Tapping a finger or hammer on a wall will make a dull sound, while a non-load-bearing wall will make a crisper sound.
4. Observe the position of the wall
Load-bearing walls are generally located at the edge of the building, in stairwells, elevator halls, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Precautions
When judging the load-bearing wall, the above methods should be considered comprehensively to avoid misjudgment. If you are not sure, it is advisable to consult a professional.
Here are some common misconceptions:
It is believed that only the exterior walls are load-bearing walls.
It is believed that as long as it is a brick wall, it is a load-bearing wall.
It is believed that as long as it can make holes, it is not a load-bearing wall.
Tips
The load-bearing wall is related to the safety of the building, and in the decoration process, do not remove or transform the load-bearing wall at will. If the load-bearing wall needs to be renovated, it must be identified by a professional structural engineer and go through the relevant procedures.