Are you planning to update the look of your home by combining two rooms into one? Wishing for a more spacious area, but you live in a house with a series of rooms? Or maybe wanting to install a set of doors or windows to an existent partition? These tasks are always possible, but they also require you to do one thing: TEAR DOWN A WALL (or two)!
It may sound quite simple… but there are some very important things that you need to check before you pick up a sledgehammer and swing it! Whether it’s an exterior or interior wall removal, figure out these factors first before you do anything:
Is your wall load-bearing?
As some walls might be structural, meaning they’re keeping your house standing, it’s very crucial to find out if the wall you’re about to break down is load-bearing. If you’re living in an old home, especially if it’s built before the 1960’s, it’s very possible that the wall you’re trying to bring down is load-bearing, due to the fact that homes during that time were built in a different way in terms of constructing foundations. A load-bearing wall runs perpendicular to floor joists and is often positioned at the centre of a house. And just remember that exterior walls are always load-bearing.
Although you have the option to check this on your own, it’s best to consult a professional contractor to inspect your walls for you and ensure that you won’t be facing any issues once your wall is removed.
Does it contain any Plumbing or Electrical Outlets/Wiring?
For this, both sides of a wall should be checked. Once confirmed that the wall contains either a power outlet, or plumbing or even Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) vents, the wall should be taken down very carefully. For safety, it’s also advisable to turn off water and power when doing all the work.
If there is a need to remove any pipes, it would be wise to call your plumber for expert assistance. Same goes for electrical outlets and HVAC inspections – best to consult a professional.
Is a permit needed?
Rules for wall demolition and the likes differ from city to city. Just remember that if it’s not a structural wall, no need for a permit.
Then again, why sort these out on your own when you can leave it to the experts?
At Perth Wall Removals, we can take care of all the Pre-Works for you, including:
- Free property inspection (to determine if walls are load bearing)
- Submitting plans for building approval
- Engaging a structural engineer (if required)
- Providing a drafting service
- Providing a full plumbing and electric disconnection (if required)
We also offer a comprehensive wall removal/alteration service. Just call us on 0415 275 513 for a free onsite inspection and quote. Check out our list of services here.
