How to spot load-bearing walls
When searching for a new home, the perfect property can sometimes be just one poorly positioned wall away from being perfect. Sometimes the solution is simple – just delete the wall – but when it turns out to be a load-bearing wall, the fix can become a lot more complicated and expensive.According to Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, it is important to be able to spot the potential in a property. “If you can find a more affordable property that has the potential to be transformed into a beautiful and functional home, you will stand to make a far greater return on investment than if you had purchased a perfect property to begin with,” says Goslett.
However, not all homes have the potential to be easily transformed. “Some renovation projects can turn into an endless money pit if the homeowner failed to plan properly and fully understand the scope of the work that needed to be completed,” he warns.
Goslett adds that one of the most common mistakes many sellers make is thinking that a wall can be easily removed or shifted. “Certain walls will be loadbearing, which means that they cannot be shifted or removed unless some other form of support is installed to take the weight of the floor or roof above it.”
If a wall turns out to be load-bearing, the workaround is to install some form of a concrete lintel or beam or steel joists to support the surface above before the wall can be shifted or removed. The exact kind of support will need to be prescribed by a professional architect, which partly explains why these kinds of renovations are quite costly to undertake.
To avoid being caught off guard by discovering that a load-bearing wall is blocking your path towards you and your new open-concept home, RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares a few tips on how to spot a load-bearing wall before calling out a qualified architect to confirm:
• Ask the seller for a copy of the building plans. Load-bearing walls should be indicated as such on the building plans.
• Examine the crawl space to identify walls that support the roof structure. Roof trusses or rafters will often be attached directly above load-bearing walls.
• Knock on the wall to hear if it is hollow or solid. Although this is not a guarantee, the thicker and more solid the wall, the more likely it will be load-bearing.
• The layout of the home should also give you clues. Load-bearing walls are commonly found along the centre or perimeter of the building, as well as beneath heavy structural elements like chimneys or staircases.
“Spotting load-bearing walls can sometimes mean the difference between over-capitalising or profiting from a home renovation. By checking for load-bearing walls before going ahead with a purchase, buyers can make more informed decisions regarding any future renovations. Remember, when in doubt, always seek professional guidance to ensure the safety and integrity of your home,” Goslett concludes.