How to Replace a Rotted Floor Joist in Crawl Space
Beams, girders and floor joists in crawl spaces can sag for many reasons. Most commonly a lack of support is to blame.
Wooden structures in crawl spaces can also be weakened by mold, mildew, termites and excessive moisture. A crawl space dehumidifier will help prevent this kind of damage.
If a joist is rotted it should be replaced quickly to avoid further problems. A sagging floor can cause uneven floors upstairs and skewed door frames.
Tools
Your floor rests on joists and beams/girders that are located in the crawl space. Floor joists are typically 2 x 6’s or 2 x 8’s, though some homes have engineered I-Joists. They can be made from a variety of materials including Southern yellow pine, cedar, ponderosa pine and spruce. Each type of wood has different bending strengths.
The most common sign of a rotting floor joist is an uneven or sagging floor. Other signs can include a musty or damp smell and brittle or crumbling joists that have developed dry rot.
It is critical to address rotted floor joists promptly because they are not only an indicator of other serious problems in your home, but also act as a direct contributor to further damage in your crawl space and your foundation. Dry rot thrives in moist, humid environments and it can spread very quickly. The sooner you address the problem, the less expensive your repairs will be.
Inspection
The floor joists are the foundation that holds up your subfloor and the floors above. When a joist is compromised, the whole structure can be affected. Uneven floors, bouncy rooms, and musty smells are all signs of damage that needs to be addressed immediately.
In crawl spaces, moisture absorbed by decaying joists is an open invitation for mold and wood-destroying fungus to spread throughout the rest of your home. This creates a perfect recipe for structural failure of joists, girders, and support columns, all of which can cause the main floor above to sink, sag, or collapse.
You can usually spot a rotting floor joist by physical inspection in your crawl space. Look for sagging, a hollow sound when you walk over the area, or any cracking in your drywall. If you identify a damaged joist, measure its length from where it attaches to the sill plate or girder at each end, advises Architecture Lab. This will give you an idea of what size of framing lumber to purchase for a replacement.
Removal
Wood rot in crawl space floor joists can wreak havoc on the structural integrity of your home. It is caused by wood rot, a fungal infection that eats away at the wood. When left untreated, it can rot and collapse the floor joists of your home.
Wood joists are particularly susceptible to rot because they are exposed to moisture constantly. This moisture comes from high humidity levels and groundwater that seeps into the crawl space.
If you see any of the warning signs of rotting floor joists, such as gaps between walls and floors or sagging floors, you should contact Foundation Repair Tulsa immediately. They will be able to inspect your crawl space and recommend the appropriate repair. They can also install a dehumidifier to reduce the amount of moisture in your crawl space, helping your floor joists last longer. They can also install sister beams of new wood in between the existing floor joists of your home to strengthen the structure of your crawl space.
Replacement
Floor joists are the wooden supports that directly support the floors of the home above them. They’re often 2x8s or 2x10s and are found every 16” on center in homes. They’re also known as beams or girders.
If you’ve noticed bouncy floors in your crawl space, or if your floor sags or feels spongy when you walk on it, you might have rotting floor joists. This is one of the most common warning signs that wood rot or other fungal growth is present in the crawl space, and should be addressed as soon as possible.
Floor joists can be strengthened in different ways depending on the severity of the damage they have sustained. For example, a joist with moderate damage can be sistered four feet past the point of rot to create an extension to the existing joist. If the joist is completely rotten, however, it will need to be replaced entirely. This can be done with a crawl space jack or push piers.
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Beams, girders and floor joists in crawl spaces can sag for many reasons. Most commonly a lack of support is to blame. Wooden structures in crawl spaces can also be weakened by mold, mildew, termites and excessive moisture. A crawl space dehumidifier will help prevent this kind of damage. If a joist is rotted it…