Sup guys, I'm thinking of knocking down a wall that divides two closets in order to make it one closet to put in a full washer/dryer at my condo. Like I mentioned, two closets, one is a small laundry closet that houses a washer/dryer combo and the other is a shoe closet. Well, I got my hands on a nice set of LG appliances for cheap and want to install those and get rid of the old stacked washer/dryer.

My question before I go knocking down this wall, is there anything I should be worried about? Does a closet normally bear any support? My unit is on the top floor and I'm noticing that the closets go up pretty high to the ceiling so I doubt it's supporting anything. Experts chime in

And one more question, this LG washer I bought has a 4 prong plug, I'm pretty sure when I take the old washer out that it'll be a 3 prong or something old school. Is this easy to switch out?

Googled and couldn't find any good articles. Thanks a hoot!

-john

 

It really depends on the cnstruction of your condo. If it is a low-rse, and is wood frame, it is probably what is called "baloon" framing, meaning that the exterior walls and one or two interior walls hold the crossframing for the roof. If the condo is a highrise, the framing is either concrete or steel, and NO wall is truly load-bearing......It would be shocking to assume that the little tab of wall that separates two closets located in the interior of your unit would sustain bearing competencies for the roof. The only way to absolutely confirm is to either get ahold of the construction documents (not easy, but possible if your condos are relatively new. The condo association may have a 'record set' of documents on file somewhere......) or to do a little destructive demolition to see if, by wild chance, that tiny tab of wall is supporting roof joists in some way shape or fashion.

even if the wall is load-bearing, the installation of a transfer beam would be an easy, though slightly expensive, trick, given the short distance you are talking about.

Frankly, I wouldn't worry about it much.

 

Make sure you have the clearance from the condo corporation to do this, as any structural damages you cause (especially w/o consent!) will be your financial responsibility and that wouldnt be pretty.

 

Is your new dryer 220v?

 

Need advice on if it is a load bearing wall? From people who have never seen the wall? On the internet? On a car forum? I say go for it and let us know how it works out.

 

I decided to go ahead and take a peak at what's behind the drywall. Also have a contractor coming to look at it and prob just have him do it, plus he can crew can probably get the job done faster. Thanks Ric

 

Yup, thought about doing this myself but will be hiring a contractor so he can safely assess the structure so I won't be liable if anything happens. I'll still get approval from the HOA folks as well. Thanks.

 

Dan you shmuck! I trust the guys on here so I think it's ok to take advice from them. I haven't taken any pics of the wall because well....it's a wall and I haven't gutted it so no one would be able to tell anyway. Just getting some positive feedback is all I really need.

 

the chances of that being a structural wall is very slim.... at the most you would have a 4" post, but that is also very unlikely.. .when designing you try to stay away from placing structural elements in closet walls.... and you don't need to have floor plans... they are almost impossible to get as a owner/renter..... if you know another neighbor that did the same thing then talk to them.


*disclamier.... without seeing your floor plan i can't asses the chance if there is a structural element...but i assume you have no problem....