Discussions

Wondering how to tell if a wall is load bearing. It’s a 4 level split with a gable roof. The wall runs halfway through the living room perpendicular to the joists. Tried to look in the attic but there’s too much blowin to tell. Can you call the city and get a copy of original blueprints? Thanks

Sometimes you can make an educated guess if it's in relation to the main beam and how the roof structure lays in relation to it (should run on top of a main beam and roof trusses perpendicular). If you're not sure, I would assume it is.  
 
Houses built after the 1970's often have continuous trusses, resulting in no interior walls being load-bearing, with all the structural support born by the exterior walls.  
 
If you're not sure and want to start knocking out walls, get a structural engineer to come assess. That's what we did.

Sounds like you have lots of attic insulation that is a positive! In terms of the wall......You need to get a professional structural engineer or somebody that works with a structural engineer in to take a look. As a structural designer I would almost guarantee that wall is load bearing. A 4 level split style home was a mid century style so I can be positive it was built prior to pre-engineered roof trusses. The roof will be stick framed and that means interior bearings. Especially if the wall is perpendicular to spanning framing. Go down to the level below the floor where the wall is above and see if there is a beam in that location below the floor or a built up joist girder in the floor framing to support the wall. No support below means no bearing wall. All loads need to path all the way down to the foundation.  
But bottom line.....get a professional in to check. Don't rip out a wall without verification.