I know there are lots of threads about load-bearing walls, but every house is unique! 
We've started with the kitchen and step number one is to remove the fridge that is built into the pantry and move the door to where the fridge was. I say "was" because yesterday the fridge was removed and the door frame was taken out.
But I've always had in the back of my mind that this wall could be load-bearing, but I haven't really wanted to confront that reality. There is another wall visible on the self-made (to scale) drawing. But the wall I'm tearing into now likely stands on the basement wall, which the other does not.
The point is, as you can see in the picture, that between the door opening and the fridge there is a small piece of "post," the remnants of the tongue and groove plank that once made up the wall. 6 cm thick, split to maybe 7-8 cm thickness. If I were to remove it, which I must to move the door, the opening would be about 130 cm wide.
These openings have apparently existed since the refrigerator was invented, probably from the start. And the little "post" that's supposed to hold everything up feels flimsy. I can wiggle it a bit, and even the cross planks that were above the pantry door seem to be quite loose. It's not heavy compared to snow in winter, but if the wall was load-bearing, it should have been somewhat sturdier, right?
So my question is if I build up the wall again where the pantry door was, could it be sufficiently load-bearing to then saw away the "post" that separated the door and the fridge?
I would be incredibly grateful for input!
We've started with the kitchen and step number one is to remove the fridge that is built into the pantry and move the door to where the fridge was. I say "was" because yesterday the fridge was removed and the door frame was taken out.
But I've always had in the back of my mind that this wall could be load-bearing, but I haven't really wanted to confront that reality. There is another wall visible on the self-made (to scale) drawing. But the wall I'm tearing into now likely stands on the basement wall, which the other does not.
The point is, as you can see in the picture, that between the door opening and the fridge there is a small piece of "post," the remnants of the tongue and groove plank that once made up the wall. 6 cm thick, split to maybe 7-8 cm thickness. If I were to remove it, which I must to move the door, the opening would be about 130 cm wide.
These openings have apparently existed since the refrigerator was invented, probably from the start. And the little "post" that's supposed to hold everything up feels flimsy. I can wiggle it a bit, and even the cross planks that were above the pantry door seem to be quite loose. It's not heavy compared to snow in winter, but if the wall was load-bearing, it should have been somewhat sturdier, right?
So my question is if I build up the wall again where the pantry door was, could it be sufficiently load-bearing to then saw away the "post" that separated the door and the fridge?
I would be incredibly grateful for input!
A bit of a rush. Anyone have anything to contribute?
Why do you think it is load-bearing? What does it support, does the wall continue to the second floor? Do the joists for the 2nd floor run across the wall or along the wall? If the wall is made with horizontal studs, then it's hardly load-bearing; the section supporting the area today would likely fold immediately, I would think.
The road probably supports the beams that the second floor is built on, I would guess.
The beams are laid across the wall, and the wall stands right over the basement wall. So that indicates it is load-bearing, but at the same time, the wall doesn't feel very solid. It's not the whole wall that has horizontal planks, just right above the old pantry door. The rest is vertical.
Any thoughts on my idea to build a bearing wall where the door used to be?
The beams are laid across the wall, and the wall stands right over the basement wall. So that indicates it is load-bearing, but at the same time, the wall doesn't feel very solid. It's not the whole wall that has horizontal planks, just right above the old pantry door. The rest is vertical.
Any thoughts on my idea to build a bearing wall where the door used to be?
Yesterday, I did as I planned. I found some old tongue and groove planks in the same size that a previous owner had the presence of mind to leave behind. I rebuilt the wall where the door had been. I had to complete the last 14 cm with two 45x70 studs. Then I cut away the "pillar" without any incidents.
It didn't feel like it was load-bearing, and the wall I built wasn't pinched either, so maybe I worried unnecessarily. Anyway, the frame is now moved. It was easier than I thought.
It didn't feel like it was load-bearing, and the wall I built wasn't pinched either, so maybe I worried unnecessarily. Anyway, the frame is now moved. It was easier than I thought.