I want to tear a wall out between two bedrooms and make one large room. How do I know if this is a bearing wall?

Question:  I want to tear a wall out between two bedrooms and make one large room. How do I know if this is a bearing wall?

If your home is a single story you can usually go in the attic and see if the ceiling joists are resting on the wall.  If they are resting on this wall, then it is a bearing wall.

If the wall is on the first floor of a two story home it is more difficult to determine.  Usually if the ceiling joists or floor joists run parallel with the wall that you want to remove, then it is not a bearing wall.  But this is only a general rule of thumb.  The only way to know for sure is to cut a small hole in the first floor ceiling and see if there is anything resting on the wall.  

Even if it is a bearing wall, there are usually ways to install a hidden beam or an exposed header that will support the load.  So if you want to open the room and it is a bearing wall, contact a professional remodeler and they can inform you of your options and the costs.  Be sure to consider if there is any electric, plumbing or HVAC in the wall which could make the project more difficult and costly.

May all the walls you want to remove be nonbearing and free of mechanicals.  Good luck!

 Don Jason