Floor Joist Softening

Properly sistering floor joists is very important and should not be rushed to save time.

Floor joist softening.

A floor s framework is made up mostly of wooden joists that run parallel to one another at regular intervals. Then glue and screw the plywood to the joists. Joists and orient panel ends over joists. Ceiling joists are usually 2 by 6s or sometimes 2 by 4s if it is an older home.

Long sheets are centered on the span leaving the ends of the joists exposed. Floor joists are typically 2 by 8s 2 by 10s or 2 by 12s. The plywood runs parallel to the joists not across them. Some newer homes have manufactured i beam shaped joists.

Tack a beam under the sagging joists. No one likes the feel of a supposedly solid floor bouncing or sagging underfoot. Nailing two 2x4s together will work to span about three joists unless the sag is under a weight bearing wall. How to fix springy and spongy floors.

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. 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. When installing on the underside of the joists the process is the same.

Then set new joists same height as existing ones alongside the old. Choose ring shank nails or screws that are long enough to penetrate the joists by 11 2 in and space them every 6 in. If you want to attach drywall to the ceiling later you ll have to install strips of 3 4 in.