How to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall

In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to safely cut open up a wall.

Steps for Removing a Load-Bearing Wall

1. Install temporary 2×4 braces on either side of wall to support the ceiling above.
2. Use reciprocating saw to cut through wall plaster.
3. Carefully cut away wood lath to reveal bare wall studs.
4. Use reciprocating saw to cut through wall directly above each wall stud.
5. Remove the wall studs from the opening.
6. Build header from two 2x8s sandwiched around filler strips.
7. Nail filler blocks to jack stud, screw jack stud to king stud.
8. Apply construction adhesive to back of plaster, and along header opening.
9. Install header into the opening.
10. Use hammer to tap new jack studs into place.
11. Nail jack studs to king studs on each side of the new opening.
12. Remove the temporary braces from each side of opening.

Pro Tip: Tom Silva, TOH general contractor, explains how to verify a load-bearing wall: “If the wall is perpendicular to where we see these joists, it’s gonna be load-bearing.” He adds that load-bearing walls typically stack on top of each other floor by floor, transferring weight down to the basement. Walls running parallel to the joists are likely non-structural — Tom demonstrates this by noting that removing such a wall leaves the load above completely “undisturbed.”

Tools:

Sizing the Shoring: When building your temporary support walls, position them about four feet to either side of the existing wall. Make each shoring wall about ¼ inch too tall, then force it into position with a sledgehammer — this ensures the temporary walls actively relieve the load on the wall you’re removing before you cut into it.

Pro Tip: Before cutting into any wall, check for hidden utilities. As the TOH team advises, look for any ductwork, water lines, or electrical wiring inside the wall cavity. Even if there’s no plumbing or HVAC, there’s a good chance you’ll find electrical — so have an electrician on standby to reroute any wires before you proceed with demolition.