Internal walls

REMOVING INTERNAL WALLS CAN OPEN UP A FLOORPLAN, AS WELL AS ALLOWING LIGHT TO FLOW THROUGHOUT A PROPERTY. BUT WHAT'S INVOLVED? AND IS IT A DIY JOB? OUR EXPERTS EXPLAIN ALL...

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We've all seen the videos and reels of people armed with a sledgehammer and a smile, about to remove an internal wall in their home in order to transform two poky rooms into one super-spacious one. But if you don't know what you're doing, you can do some serious damage to the stability of your property taking down a wall yourself.

Removing internal walls can really open up a space, as well as allowing light to flow into once dark areas. However, it might not be as simple as you think. 'There can be multiple factors to consider and although the job may appear to be straightforward, DIY wall removal can have catastrophic consequences if professional advice isn't sought,' warns architect Tina Patel, director at Architect Your Home. However, 'if the wall doesn't have a load-bearing responsibility, a talented DIYer should be able to safely remove it,' says Farook Member, director at QS Supplies. 'But remember, you still have to exercise caution.'

HOW TO CHECK IF THE WALL IS LOAD-BEARING OR NOT

'First, you must determine whether the wall is structural (that is, load-bearing or non-load-bearing) and check for hidden services, such as plumbing or electrical wiring,' says Farook. 'You can do this either by using a cable detector or by opening up a little inspection hole.'

'Often people think it is just a case of knocking on the wall and checking if it is solid, or looking to see if there is a wall directly above - this is not always enough,' explains Tina. 'Even if there is no wall directly overhead, the wall you want to remove could be supporting floor joists, so ill-considered removal could have serious implications.'

There are two types of internal wall: load-bearing and non-load-bearing. Determining which type of wall you are working with is the most important step you can take before knocking it down.