Hot Topics: Load Bearing Closet?

Written by Justin DiPego
on Jan 17, 2014

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Taking down a wall is really easy, and demoing a closet could take you less than half an hour. Tempting, especially if that closet is in an awkward place. But before you knock anything down, make sure it’s not there for a reason. The Forum can clue you in.

Original Post: Load bearing wall??? Can I take this down? W/ PICTURES.

mattdwagner Member

I have a closet between my living room and kitchen. Any reason that you see why I couldn't take this down? I want to take it back to the side of the kitchen counter and then build a door flush to access the water heater. Thanks.

Highlights from the Thread

chandler Forum Topic Moderator

What a funky place/design for a closet. Not being on site, we always recommend the services of a structural engineer to make determinations. With that disclaimer, it appears this closet has load bearing properties. There appears to be a beam type soffit that ends with the closet and needs vertical support.

mattdwagner Member

Thanks for the reply Chandler. When you say "beam" are you referring to the one in the last picture that protrudes from the closet from the left?