This depends on the type of construction.
My guess is that you want to either take down or open up a wall and that's why you're asking this.
You really should get a pro to look at it before you go knocking anything down,
because any wall could potentially be load bearing.
Go down into the basement and look up at the ceiling, you'll see the joists.
These are heavy boards that are 1 1/2" to 2" wide and 8" to 12 " tall.
Unless the house is really tiny, they will be attached to the main beam that's got some posts or a wall supporting it.
If the wall you want to mess with runs in the same direction as the main beam, it may be load bearing, especially if there's a flight of stairs attached to it.
If it sits directly on top of the main beam, it's definitly load bearing and you'll need to add more structural elements to make up for what ever you're planning to take out.
If the wall runs in the direction of the joists, it mat be a curtain wall. (not load bearing).
Try and find the joist directly under the wall. Sometimes they're doubled up under a curtain wall, but if they're 3 or more joists under the wall, or there's stairs attached to it, don't mess with it.
Usually, a load bearing wall will be perpendicular to the roof ridge.
You will need to go to the level above the wall. If girders, joists or another wall is supported by your initial wall, then that becomes a 'load'. Supported by by the wall downstarirs, Thus bearing a load
header
All exterior walls in a home are load bearing. The exterior walls on the gable end of your house do not bear much load, but the walls that the hip of the roof bear on carry your roof and ceiling joints. Interior walls are another story. Usually in a smaller one story home there is a wall that runs the midspan of the house that is load bearing for your roof and ceiling joints.
A wall without column structure. The wall itself support the loading from the upper floor. In conventional structure, the column support the loading from the upper beam and transfer it to the lower beam.
A load bearing wall supports a structure or weight that is above it, transferring that weight to what is below the wall. Also - The most common, as easiest to identify is the exterior wall.
A load-bearing wall is a structural wall that supports the weight of a building. It is typically thicker and made of stronger materials than non-load-bearing walls. To identify a load-bearing wall in your home, look for walls that run perpendicular to the ceiling joists or rafters, as they are more likely to be load-bearing. Additionally, consult a structural engineer or contractor for a professional assessment.
A wall bearing no load.
A load-bearing wall in a house is a wall that supports the weight of the structure above it. It is usually positioned in a way that helps distribute the weight of the roof and upper floors to the foundation of the house.
A load-bearing wall in a building can be identified by looking at the structure's blueprints or consulting with a structural engineer. Additionally, load-bearing walls are typically positioned perpendicular to the floor joists and are made of stronger materials like concrete or brick.
Usually, a load bearing wall will be perpendicular to the roof ridge.
Load Bearing - something that bears a load. Like a load bearing wall in a house. The wall is holding something up like the roof, another floor, etc.
Yes, you can run electrical wires in a load bearing wall.
A load-bearing wall is a structural wall that supports the weight of a building or structure above it. It is essential for the stability and integrity of the building. On the other hand, a non-load-bearing wall is not responsible for supporting any weight and is primarily used for dividing spaces or for aesthetic purposes.
A load-bearing wall itself will not cause structural damage. However, if a load-bearing wall is removed without structural replacement, yes structural damage will occur.
If the wall is load bearing or you are not sure if it is load bearing I would definately hire a professional. If you are sure the wall is not load bearing and you have some basic carpenters skills this should be a manageable job for a homeowner.
To determine if a wall is load-bearing from the attic, look for vertical supports that run from the ceiling to the floor below. These supports indicate that the wall is likely load-bearing and should not be removed without professional guidance.