knocking down walls...is it load bearing

[entreri911]

i was hoping to knock down the wall between the kitchen and dinning room in my 1970's house to create a bigger kitchen, the wall in question is blocks, but none of the upstairs joists seem to rest on it, they run inline with the wall, infact the only thing that seems to is a stud wall directly above, which i would assume is only to divide upstairs space and wouldnt be supporting the roof.

is there any tips anyone could share to help us out

cheers

 

[TheVictorian]

It doesn't sound like it's load bearing if there is nothing physically touching the top of it.

Maybe a picture would help us though.

People will probably tell you to check with a structural engineer to be 100% but common sense may be enough on this one.

 

[entreri911]

may be answering my own question here but lifted a few floorboards in the bedroom after work and can see the top of the downstairs wall...had head down there and cant see anything actually touching the top of the wall so surely this isnt supporting anything?

 

[TheVictorian]

Sounds like case closed to me

 

[tony1851]

Sounds like case closed to me

You may well be right but be careful here.
Although the wall may not be supporting any load directly above, it may still be structural. It could be providing lateral support to an adjoining wall; this might be more critical if the adjoining wall is external. Depending on the construction and configuration of other ground floor walls in the house, it may not necessarily be wise to move it without a check by a SE.