How can I tell if a wall is load-bearing?

Walls that run perpendicular to the floor joists, sit above a beam or wall on the floor below, or support the center of the house are usually load-bearing. Exterior walls almost always are. The clearest evidence is in the basement or crawl space. A structural professional should confirm it before any removal, since surface signs alone are not reliable.

Are all interior walls in Atlanta homes non-load-bearing?

No. Many interior walls carry real load, especially those running down the center of the house or supporting the ends of floor or ceiling joists. Atlanta homes span many building eras, and past renovations can change what a wall carries. Only a structural assessment that traces the load path can tell for certain whether an interior wall is bearing.

Do I need an engineer to check a wall before removal?

For a load-bearing wall, yes. The City of Atlanta and surrounding counties require drawings stamped by a licensed Professional Engineer for structural modifications. An engineer traces the load path, calculates the loads, and specifies the beam and posts. Heide Contracting works with structural engineering to handle this before any wall comes down.

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