Floor Joist Softening

How to fix springy and spongy floors.

Floor joist softening.

Floor joists are typically 2 by 8s 2 by 10s or 2 by 12s. Long sheets are centered on the span leaving the ends of the joists exposed. The plywood runs parallel to the joists not across them. Ceiling joists are usually 2 by 6s or sometimes 2 by 4s if it is an older home.

Properly sistering floor joists is very important and should not be rushed to save time. Set a hydraulic jack and post under the beam and jack up the joists about 1 8 in. Plywood or 1 4 to the undersides of the exposed joist ends. A day until they re level.

A floor s framework is made up mostly of wooden joists that run parallel to one another at regular intervals. When installing on the underside of the joists the process is the same. Tack a beam under the sagging joists. Since this is a repair of a faulty or damaged floor joist it is imperative to do this project correctly and there are a few big mistakes to avoid.

A springy or spongy feeling could indicate a minor issue a major problem or. Add an additional row of fas teners midway between the joists to pull the layers tightly together. If you want to attach drywall to the ceiling later you ll have to install strips of 3 4 in. Then set new joists same height as existing ones alongside the old.

Some newer homes have manufactured i beam shaped joists. Nailing two 2x4s together will work to span about three joists unless the sag is under a weight bearing wall. No one likes the feel of a supposedly solid floor bouncing or sagging underfoot.