Walls – Identifying a Load-Bearing Wall from Blueprints

framingstructuralwalls

We are exploring the remodeling of our kitchen, and wondering if this wall between living room and kitchen is load bearing ?

I have attached the blue print and photo. Are there any indications in the blue print which provides this proof ?

blue print

photo

1st floor framing

2nd floor framing

Best Answer

It took me a while to figure our the drawing of the first floor are first floor and ceiling, not first floor and floor joists. (Is the first floor is a concrete slab?)

There's a 6x12 beam (triple 2x12) in the first floor ceiling supported at one end by the alcove wall.

Superimposing the top floor over the lower floor shows that above the wall with the alcove is a wall of the upstairs closet and above that a beam that's supporting the air conditioner.

So yeah, it's extremely structural.

enter image description here

It may be possible to fit a new beam (green) to carry the end of the 6x12 and connect them with a suitable hanger bracket, but you'll probably need an engineer to figure out what type of beam, and there will be a big hole in the ceiling to repair. The walls at either end of the beam will probably need to be strengthened too. Additionally the 6x12 is now spanning a greater distance and may also need to be upgraded.

enter image description here