Load-bearing wall- Is it even possible?

[Xeato]

I'm new to this forum and have a question.

I want to tear down a wall between the kitchen and living room in my studio apartment. My question is actually quite simple. I've read a bit on this forum and elsewhere about load-bearing walls, but haven't really gotten any clarity. The wall in question is only about 60mm wide and consists of plaster and studs, maybe a bit naive, but can such a wall be load-bearing when all other walls around the apartment are concrete? All exterior walls are concrete and the ceiling.

I have a somewhat special situation and am not quite sure where I would get hold of the floor plans in my housing cooperative, and as I've read, it's not even certain that you can determine if the wall is load-bearing from them. Personally, I don't think it is… can it even be when it's so thin and made of plaster and wooden studs?

Thanks in advance.

 

[fb35523]

It doesn't seem from your description that the wall is load-bearing, but you probably won't be allowed to make this type of change without the BRF approving the alteration. Check with them!

 

[Xeato]

Yes, they have already approved that I can make the change, but only if the wall is not load-bearing.

 

[fb35523]

But can't they say if it is or not??? Tricky!

 

[olofh]

Not entirely true, but if you tear down the plaster on one side, photograph it, and post it here, we can guess a bit better. However, you can get the drawings by contacting the municipality's building department/drawing archive. That's the best way to go.

 

[Xeato]

The thing is that it's a converted rental apartment into a condominium, so I don't really know where we should get the floor plans for the apartment... that's what's a bit problematic...

 

[olofh]

Well, the thing is that it is a converted rental apartment into a condominium, so I don't really know where we should get hold of the floor plans for the apartment... that's what's a bit problematic...

Yes, but when the building was constructed, plans were submitted to obtain a building permit, so start there.

 

[BirgitS]

The board should have drawings of the house. But doesn't the board require you to have a paper from a building engineer stating that it is not load-bearing?

 

[Xeato]

Yes, I probably have to do that, I think, but can such a "thin" wall even be load-bearing? It's not more than 6 cm..

 

[Xeato]

The board should have drawings of the house. But doesn't the board require you to have a paper from a building constructor stating that it's not load-bearing?

The association is only a week old since it has been converted from rental to condominium, so it might take some time before everything is fully settled.

 

[cpalm]

I don't really know where we should get the floor plans for the apartment...

If the association doesn't have any plans, they can be found at the city planning office. Depending on the municipality you live in, it can mean anything from being able to give them a call and have them email you PDF files for free, to having to go there and search yourself on microfilm and pay for printed copies.

 

[Xeato]

If the association doesn't have any drawings, they can be found at the city planning office. Then, depending on which municipality you live in, it could mean anything from you making a call and having them email you PDF files for free, to having to go there and search for yourself on microfilm and pay to have copies printed.

yes, I guess I'll have to call them on Monday and ask

 

[Xeato]

Not quite true, but if you tear down the plaster on one side, take photos and upload them here, we can guess a little better. But, you can get drawings by contacting the municipality's building department/drawing archive. That is the best way to go

I will do this tomorrow and get back with pictures

 

[Xeato]

Okay, started by making a hole in the wall and it wasn't drywall, but, what I believe is lightweight concrete? But I don't dare to continue. Can these pictures help determine what material it is and if the wall is load-bearing? I think there's reinforcement in the new one too. Are there no studs in a wall like this? Many questions, hope you have patience

 

[olofh]

Wouldn't you wait? I'm leaving the thread now.