How to determine the bearing wall

When performing repairs, there is often a desire to make fundamental changes in the redevelopment of living space. In this case, the question arises: how to determine the bearing wall, which can not be touched? And in order not to be mistaken, we suggest that you consider several ways to figure this out. Also, this article will be interesting to those who are planning to carry out repair work, namely, to lay communications in a hidden method.

Definition

Under the supporting wall refers to the design, which is based on the overlap of the next floor. Also, such walls can be replaced with columns or beams that support the entire structure.

If during the repair process it is wrong to determine the load-bearing wall, then if it is disturbed, cracks may appear in the building, in the worst case, the overlap may collapse.

Main provisions

It is possible to determine the bearing wall in front of you or not in several ways. For example, by location. All exterior walls are always bearing, as well as those that are located on the side of the staircase. These can be walls that border your neighbors. In addition, it can be determined by its thickness and what it is made of. If brick is used, then the supporting structure in this case will be greater than 380 mm. As for the reinforced concrete structure, it is 140–200 mm, and in the case of monolithic walls, the load-bearing wall will be 200–300 mm or more. It is also possible to find the supporting structure by the arrangement of the floor slabs. All walls that are perpendicular to the slabs are bearing. Although there are houses where there are exceptions to the rules, for example, Czech buildings.

These are the basic provisions that will help you determine which of the walls are bearing and which are not. Now we will consider in more detail where and which walls in the panel house, the Khrushchev, brick and monolithic house.

Panel houses

Partitions in a panel house usually have a thickness in the range of 80-100 mm. It can be made of gypsum concrete. As for the bearing wall, it can be 140, 180, 200 mm thick. If, after measuring the wall, its thickness is less than 120 mm, then definitely it is a partition. But notice the fact that in some panel houses the walls are plastered. Therefore, be sure to consider this when measuring. Although in most cases the layer of plaster does not exceed 50 mm, which means that it will not have a significant effect. But it is best to take the thickness of the wall as the basis for the measurement site.

Brick houses

The thickness of the walls in brick buildings is formed during the laying. For example, a standard brick has a width of 120 mm. If the laying is done in two rows, then there is a joint about 10 mm between them. Accordingly, the thickness of such a wall will be equal to 250 mm. If the wall is lined in three rows, then its thickness will be 380 mm and so on.

The simplest method for determining the bearing wall is measurement. Walls 80, 120 or 250 mm are partitions. Accordingly, the wall thickness of 380, 520 mm and more is always bearing. Also be sure to consider when measuring the layer of plaster and other finishing materials.

Some brick houses may have hardwood floors. Therefore, load-bearing walls may be of less importance.

In the Khrushchev / stalinka

Bearing walls in such buildings are a diagram of their three bearing (green) and transverse (blue) walls, on the diagram, they look like this:

At the same time, the partitions marked in blue are also carriers for the flight of stairs.

As can be seen in this case, there are standards. The constructive scheme in Khrushchev or Stalin is not changed, although the layout of the apartment may differ.

We are looking for a bearing wall in a monolithic house

As for the monolithic buildings, the layout of them may be very different. The thickness of the walls here can also be different, it is 200, 250, 300 mm and more. If the wall you have measured is 200 mm thick, then most likely it is a partition. If more than 200 mm, it is not a guarantee that you have a bearing wall. The very method of its determination is to find the project documentation or consult with an engineer from the developer’s company. In monolithic houses for the partitions are used foam blocks of different thickness, this is all explained.

Permissible work when redevelopment

So, performing the redevelopment of the apartment, there may be questions concerning whether it is possible to remove the bearing walls. Immediately it should be said that it is not allowed to dismantle it completely, as this may lead to the destruction of the structure. If, however, to make such a redevelopment without permission, then its restoration will have to spend a large amount, plus there is a risk of receiving fines. This rule applies to the carrying wall.

If the complete demolition or transfer of speech is not, and you want to make an opening, then it is possible to perform such work. However, each case should be considered individually and it is best to contact the project organization. In that case, if you want to carry out certain communications using a hidden method in such a wall, it is prohibited to make horizontal or vertical grooves, according to a decree of the Moscow Government. However, drilling is possible. Especially when it comes to installing fasteners, such as a dowel or sewage pipes, ventilation or water pipes through the walls.

As you can see, there are a number of limitations that apply to bearing walls. We hope that from this article, you received an answer to the question of how to find out the location of the supporting walls.

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