How do I identify a supporting wall?

[Potatan]

I have a question as I am thinking of buying a house and would like to take a wall out in order to open up the kitchen. I believe the wall is not load bearing as it has an internal window that goes up to the ceiling - see here:
http://www.zerodanger.com/chapel_lane/dining.jpg

This is a photograph of the front of the house (actually a bungalow):
http://www.zerodanger.com/chapel_lane/front.jpg

These are the floorplans:
http://www.zerodanger.com/chapel_lane/floorplandownstairs.jpg
http://www.zerodanger.com/chapel_lane/floorplanupstairs.jpg

It is the wall between the kitchen and dining room that I'd like to remove. If it's not possible to tell by the photos and floorplans above then is there any safe way to identify whether this wall can be taken down without problems?


Many thanks.

 

[masona]

Lift the floorboards above the dining room wall from your bedroom 2 and tell me what you see. Also which way does the floorboards run in bedroom 2? A photo even better!

I just noticed you're not living in it so don't know if you can find this out.

 

[jbonding]

going off your pictures ide say its not supporting but just to check go above and check which way the joists are running and check if there supported on the wall, i doubt it.

 

[Potatan]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I don't have access to the house yet, especially to lift the floorboards.

But I imagine that if the floor joists upstairs are running from the front of the house to the back (i.e. parallel to the wall I'd like to remove) then it is not a supporting wall.

The house does need a lot of cosmetic work doing to it and I'm no builder (though I can wield most tools with reasonable accuracy...) so if my offer is accepted, you can expect more questions from me!

Cheers

 

[masona]

But I imagine that if the floor joists upstairs are running from the front of the house to the back (i.e. parallel to the wall I'd like to remove) then it is not a supporting wall.

No, it's the other way round!

If the floorboards are running paralled to the wall then the floor joists is in the opposite direction.

 

[DAZB]

He says the joists run parallel not the boards . I get it , your still testing to see if we are awake aren't you ?

 

[Potatan]

Err, I think I've got this right..

Anyway, who would have a supporting wall with a ceiling height window in it?

If I go and see the place again, I'll lift the carpet and have a look and report back

cheers

 

[masona]

He says the joists run parallel not the boards . I get it , your still testing to see if we are awake aren't you ?

I get tired very easily

 

[shaggy]

You need new specs mate - like I do!

 

[masona]

You need new specs mate - like I do!

Can't find it