Load-bearing wall in the basement?

[tobsod]

Hello!
I'm wondering if a wall in the basement can be removed. It's between what is currently a lye room and a laundry room. The laundry room will be moved to another part of the house, and combined, the rooms could be a bedroom.

It's a basement floor with full ceiling height and full-size windows (souterrain). The wall is made of lightweight concrete. The floor structure is concrete.

How do I know if I can take down the wall?

 

[Anonymiserad 618974]

Simple!

1. You don't trust an opinion from an anonymous unpaid writer on the internet.

2. You contact an engineer who provides a written opinion.

 

[mexitegel]

Sigh.

It's perfectly fine to ask for advice here to get an idea of what's applicable. We've had outstandingly skilled forum members in this area. Unfortunately, the one I primarily think of has unfortunately passed away.

With the attitude you are promoting, one might as well shut down the entire forum.

It is not contradictory to say that it is extremely wise to hire an engineer before proceeding with a project. If it's a load-bearing part, you should also contact your building permit office, which will likely require a report from an engineer.

 

[MultiMan]

What comes to mind from similar threads with basements is that the wall that might need to be removed may function as support against the earth masses acting on the outer wall, i.e., not just the load from the floors above.

 

[Anonymiserad 618974]

*Sigh.*

It is perfectly fine to ask for advice here to get an understanding of what applies. We have had outstandingly skilled forum members in this area. Unfortunately, the one I mainly think of has unfortunately passed away.

With the attitude you are promoting, you might as well shut down the entire forum.

It is no contradiction that it is extremely wise to hire an engineer before proceeding with the work. If it is a load-bearing part, you should also contact your building permit office, which will likely require a statement from an engineer.

I see few actions with stakes as high as demolishing potentially load-bearing structures. Electrical and plumbing installations can have similar consequences, but the solutions are more uniform and less site- and building-unique. Therefore, I think your suggestion that the forum might as well be shut down with such an attitude is shaky.

The problem for TS is knowing what is good advice and what is not. In almost every thread, there is someone who is incorrect in fact but very certain in their post. That is, it becomes difficult to act based on the responses. An engineer will still be needed before the wall is demolished (unless TS is reckless, but then the wall would probably already be gone).

 

[tobsod]

I see few moments with stakes as high as demolishing potentially load-bearing structures. Electrical and water installations can have similar consequences, but the solutions there are more uniform and less unique to the space and building. Therefore, I think your thought about the forum being shut down due to such an attitude is flawed.

The problem for TS is knowing what is good advice and what is not. In almost every thread, there's someone who is factually wrong yet very confident in their post. This means it becomes difficult to act based on the responses. A structural engineer will still be needed before the wall is demolished (unless TS is reckless, but in that case, the wall would probably already be gone).

Hello!
I would gladly welcome thoughts on the matter from other knowledgeable people in the forum. Hiring a structural engineer in the end is certainly necessary, but I hope the forum has enough expertise for me to determine if it’s worth pursuing this idea.

 

[BirgitS]

Would it work to just have a doorway (with or without a door) between the two rooms?
Depending on the room dimensions, the smaller room could function as a sleeping alcove, desk corner, or closet. It would be less work regardless of whether the wall is load-bearing or not.

Have you thought about the ventilation?
A bedroom should have supply air while a laundry room and a toilet normally have exhaust air.

 

[mexitegel]

I see few situations with stakes as high as demolishing potentially load-bearing structures. Electrical and water installations can have similar consequences but the solutions are more similar and less space- and building-unique. Therefore, I think your notion that the forum might as well be shut down with such an attitude is flawed.

The problem for TS is knowing what is good advice and what isn't. In almost every thread there is someone who is factually wrong but is very confident in their post. Meaning, it becomes difficult to act based on the answers. There will still need to be an engineer before the wall is demolished (unless TS is negligent, but then the wall would probably already be gone).

And you either read or choose not to understand what I write. I only took it to an extreme just as you did in your first post.

 

[Anonymiserad 618974]

And you read or choose not to understand what I'm writing. I just took it to an extreme in the same way you did in your first post.

But my post is not an extreme. It is the reasonable way to *know* if the wall can be demolished, which was TS's question.

 

[mexitegel]

Jo

 

[Anonymiserad 618974]

Yes

Sí.

Hold on to your hat in the wind.

 

[Matti_75]

Do you not have a drawing of the next floor slab and a sectional drawing? That would make it easier to help you.

 

[tobsod]

Do you have a drawing of the next floor and a sectional drawing? It will be easier to help you then.

Hi!
I have a sectional drawing. I'm including the upper floor here as well.

As for ventilation, it will be reviewed anyway. There is an old mechanical one.

 

[Matti_75]

It is not load-bearing but can be stabilizing for the basement exterior wall.

 

[13th Marine]

I wouldn't spontaneously rule it out as load-bearing.
Do you have any reinforcement drawings of the concrete slab?