Check the original building plans or structural drawings
Look for walls that run perpendicular to floor joists or ceiling joists
Check whether the wall is directly above a wall or beam on the floor below
Check whether the wall supports roof framing, trusses, or rafters
Look for walls near the center of the house that align with major structural members
Check for doubled joists, beams, or posts above or below the wall
Inspect whether the wall continues through multiple floors in the same location
Look for signs of load transfer such as headers, beams, or columns nearby
Determine whether the wall is part of the exterior perimeter
Check if the wall has been altered from the original layout
Use a stud finder and inspect joist direction from an attic or basement
Verify with a licensed structural engineer or qualified contractor before removal