My fiance and I are doing some redecorating/renovating and she wants to remove a portion of the wall that separates the kitchen and dining room.
How can I tell if any part of the wall in question is holding up the ceiling?
Must…fight…the obvious…
If you can get into the attic area check whether the wall in question is at right angles to several joists.
If it transverses several joists it’s a bearing wall.
If it runs in the same direction as a single joist it is not .
Way too simple an answer. Modern roof trusses can span several transverse interior walls bearing on exterior walls only.
Seriously, if you have to ask, get professional advice.
In any case, whether load bearing or not, an opening of 8 feet or less can easily be dealt with. A load bearing wall will merely require a couple of 2x10’s nailed together and bearing on a stud at each end . These two studs are nailed to adjacent studs. Voila, an opening
Knock it out. If the ceiling falls on your head, it’s load-bearing.
I see Gunslinger didn’t win the fight.