Removing a wall: why you always need a structural engineer

Short answer: for every wall you want to break through or remove, have a structural engineer look first. Even a wall that does not look load-bearing can support floors, a roof or a wall above. The structural engineer determines whether the wall is load-bearing, calculates the steel beam or lintel and specifies how it is propped. Check with the council whether you need a permit or have to submit a notification, and in an apartment also get permission from the owners' association. You can often do the preparation and the removal of rubble yourself; breaking through a load-bearing wall is a job for a contractor.

Read this article in Dutch as well: Muur doorbreken of verwijderen: waarom altijd een constructeur?.

👷 A structural engineer and an experienced contractor are indispensable for this work. A calculation error or a wrongly placed prop can make a floor sag or crack a facade. Their calculation, drawing and craftsmanship keep your house safe. Never cut corners there.

Is the wall load-bearing?

There are indications, but no certainty without investigation.

• The wall runs at right angles to the floor joists or the direction of the floor.
• There is a wall in the same place on the floor above.
• The wall is made of brick, sand-lime brick or concrete and is thicker than a light partition.
• The wall runs from the foundation up to under the roof.

A light wall of gypsum blocks or a metal or timber stud frame is often not load-bearing, but it can still contain pipes, cables or a beam. So always have it confirmed.

What does the structural engineer do?

Permit and notification

Removing a load-bearing wall is a change to the structure of your house. Check with the council what is required. Often you have to submit structural details beforehand. In an apartment you also need permission from the owners' association, because the load-bearing structure is usually shared.

Pipes, cables and asbestos

Use a multifunction wall detector to find where pipes and cables run, but do not rely on it blindly. If there are electrics, gas or water in the wall, have them shut off and rerouted first by a certified installer. If the house was built before 1994, there may be asbestos-containing materials in or on the wall. Stop immediately when in doubt and read our safety tip on recognising asbestos.

⚠️ Never start breaking before the props are in place according to the structural engineer's plan and the steel beam is ready. Never break through a load-bearing wall alone and never without supervision by a professional.

What can you do yourself?

With a non-load-bearing partition, and if the structural engineer confirms it, you can demolish it yourself. Even with a load-bearing wall you can do a lot of the preparation and clearing up.

1. Clear the room. Lay masking film over floors and furniture and seal doors against dust.
2. Get the tools ready. With a SDS-max demolition hammer and an SDS-max pointed chisel you break out masonry. Use a wide SDS-max chisel for tiles, plaster and joints.
3. From top to bottom. Work in small sections from top to bottom and lever loose bricks away with a 600 mm crowbar.
4. Remove rubble. Fill 120-litre rubble bags only halfway with stone, otherwise they become too heavy to lift.
5. Vacuum dust. Use a construction vacuum cleaner for construction dust instead of a household vacuum cleaner.

Working safely

Demolition work produces a lot of fine dust, noise and flying fragments of stone. Always wear an FFP3 dust mask, safety goggles, earmuffs, a safety helmet, work gloves with nitrile coating and low S3S safety shoe. Also read our blog on hearing protection, our safety tip on preventing eye injuries and our blog on safe working on the construction site.

After breaking through

The walls and ceiling around the new opening often need repairing. How to tackle that is explained in our blog on touching up damaged walls and our blog on plastering a wall: DIY or professional.

Frequently asked questions

Can I tell for myself whether a wall is load-bearing?

You can see indications, but only a structural engineer gives certainty. Even a wall that looks light can carry a floor or roof.

May I remove a non-load-bearing wall without a structural engineer?

If it is established that the wall is not load-bearing, that is often allowed. Have it confirmed when in doubt and watch out for pipes, cables and asbestos.

Who installs the steel beam?

A contractor, following the structural engineer's calculation and drawing. It is heavy and precise work with temporary support.

Where can you find everything for this job?

At Saniso, the online store for DIYers and professionals, you will find tools, materials and personal protective equipment for your job.

• Browse our construction tools and our workwear and safety.
• Create a customer account and order easily.
• Working on a bigger project or want to hand over the job? Request a project quote.
• Book a showroom visit, at least 24 hours in advance.
• Not sure which material suits your job? Get in touch with us.

In doubt about the approach? Feel free to call in a professional.

Saniso – Build your home with Saniso.