I am planning to remove an internal wall which is made of concrete
blocks. I've checked its not a supporting wall by lifting the floor
boards, and its been built between and parallel to the joists. However,
from reading previous responses to removing internal walls there is the
occasional mention of non load bearing walls providing support/bracing
to adjoining walls.

This wall equally divides the ground floor back of the house in two and
my main concern is that the wall it is buttressed against (at right
angles) is an internal supporting (brick) wall. This wall rises three
stories and once the non load bearing wall is removed this supporting
wall would be, on the ground floor, 8 metres long and 11 foot high but
without any buttressing.

Its also slightly complicated by the fact that the wall I want to
remove is not an original wall, it was built in the 1980s and the house
dates from 1895. This wall replaced two walls that divided the space
into similar sized rooms. However, following removing wall paper it
appears that at least one of the original walls was either stud or lath
and plaster as there are old screw holes running from floor to ceiling.

Are there any simple checks to discover whether the wall is a bracing
wall or is getting it checked out by a structural engineer/surveyor the
only way to be sure.

Any advice/comments gratefully received.

It is doubtfull that internal walls povided and significant bracing to
a trypical domestic structure. The typical low-rise form would get its
support inherently from the external walls and floor and roof bracing.

If the external wall is not showing any current signs of distress, then
there is no reason to suspect that it will start moving when this wall
is removed.

dg

dg wrote:
It is doubtfull that internal walls povided and significant bracing to
a trypical domestic structure. The typical low-rise form would get its
support inherently from the external walls and floor and roof bracing.

If the external wall is not showing any current signs of distress, then
there is no reason to suspect that it will start moving when this wall
is removed.

dg

Thanks for the reply.

I am not concerned about the external wall as this is over 50 cm thick,
but its the internal supporting wall that I'm concerned about which is
only a brick thick and once the wall is removed it will have no bracing
on the ground floor for its entire length (8m). Although as you say the
1st floor joists must provide some lateral support to it.

However, I've since discovered the original architect's plans and
builder's quotes/invoices for the work that was carried out in 1980
when the wall I wish to knock down was built. I am no expert on
architect's plans but there is no mention of the walls that were
removed, or the replacement wall which I wish to knock down, being
structural. Also the quotes that the builder provided for the work
simply refer to "partition wall". Therefore, it may be safe to assume
that the wall is simpy a partition wall and is not supporting any of
the structure.

However, why didnt they build the wall as a stud partition as surely
thats easy and cheaper than building a concrete block wall?

However, why didnt they build the wall as a stud partition as surely
thats easy and cheaper than building a concrete block wall?

Aerated concrete block walls are also very easy to build. Also, many people
prefer them, as they sound more solid when knocked.

Christian.