Bearing or Not? Drawings

[Helena E]

So far, I have stayed in the background, sneaking your tricks and tips, but now I need concrete help, so here comes my first post, it should be celebrated!
I have just gained access to my new apartment (condominium). I intend to tear down the wall between the kitchen and living room and thought one of you house gods might determine whether the wall is load-bearing or not. I know I should get a structural engineer here, but we'll take that as the next step.

The building was constructed in 1939 (!) and the apartment is at the bottom of the building with a basement space with windows beneath me. I have tapped, and the wall seems to be made of some lighter material...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/74214940@N04/6686708255
The thicker part of the wall between the kitchen and living room is made of brick...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/74214940@N04/6686715809
My apartment is at the top in this picture

Take care! /The Construction Expert

 

[Helena E]

It can be added that in the apartment above: doesn't it look like it was planned for a door in that particular wall? A door that perhaps never happened? The lady above says that there isn't one there...

 

[Dr Fozz]

Which direction do the roof trusses run? What is the distance between the outer walls of the kitchen-living room?

 

[Helena E]

The wall I intend to tear down runs along the roof ridge, so at an angle to the roof trusses, perhaps? I haven’t looked...
The length of the living room + the kitchen is according to the drawing 9 meters, but I haven't double-checked.

 

[JanneL]

Since the house is so old and only has a 9-meter span, it could very well be that the exterior walls, the wall towards the staircase, and the apartment-separating wall to the neighbor are what are load-bearing. The thicker stub wall between the kitchen and living room probably contains channels from the kitchens. To be on the safe side, however, as you point out, you should consult with a structural engineer. Also, listen to someone on the board. It might be that someone has already done what you're considering. Don't forget to notify the board of your intentions.

 

[anaitis]

Don't forget to inform the board of your intention.

I don't really think that's enough!
You probably need the board's permission!

 

[Helena E]

So there is a chance that the wall is not load-bearing? It's not possible to tell just from the drawings? The board's permission is only needed for significant changes; this doesn't include the demolition of non-load-bearing walls, normally....

 

[Helena E]

Now I've had a structural engineer at my house and thankfully the wall is not load-bearing! Now I'm just waiting for the board's decision and then I'll invite some friends over (I actually have some who don't wear fake nails) and put them to work. The wall is made of some form of lightweight concrete, so it certainly won't be easy. There's an advantage to being small; the determination is much greater

 

[anaitis]

Aerated concrete is very easy to demolish. A large hammer or small sledgehammer goes a long way. But it creates an awful lot of dust!

 

[Helena E]

Thanks for the tip!
I guess even plastic is not enough to keep it contained, so it will have to be covering the furniture instead...

 

[Helena E]

Since the house is so old and with only a 9-meter span, it could very well be that the outer walls, the wall towards the stairwell, and the apartment-separating wall to the neighbor are load-bearing. The thicker wall segment between the kitchen and the living room probably contains ducts from the kitchens. To be on the safe side, however, as you point out, you should consult with a structural engineer. Also, listen to someone on the board. It may happen that someone has already done what you're planning. Don't forget to inform the board of your intentions.

You are completely right in everything you write regarding which walls are load-bearing. I was at the chairman's today. He had a doorway in the corresponding wall in his apartment (!)

 

[Anna_H]

Having a doorway is not proof that a wall is not load-bearing; there can be a relieving beam over the opening.