Replacing Log Floor Joists

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Replacing log floor joists. I suppose somewhere in the world there are floor joists that need to be repaired that have wide open clear joist bays with no pipes wires or obstructions. Start by cutting out a small 1 2 in 2 5 5 1 cm section of the floor joist with a reciprocating saw. This article provides step by step instructions and pictures on how to make structural repairs by sistering floor joists alongside weak joists. Depending upon the conditions it is possible to strengthen or repair existing framing members such as floor joists or roof rafters by adding reinforcing material sandwiching the member on either side with plywood is sometimes worthwhile but the plywood must be installed correctly for greatest strength.

Pry the floor joist from the subfloor with the back of your hammer. The rim joist fig. B the framing member that runs around the perimeter of your house and that the floor joists butt into often gets riddled with large holes this space is the logical exit point for dryer and furnace vents big electrical service wires and fireplace fresh air intakes. In this video this old house general contractor tom silva helps a homeowner repair a cracked floor joist.

Generally newer home floor joists are made from 2x8s or new engineered i beams older homes however may have 2x6s instead. To replace floor joists you must first remove the floorboards that cover them. I recently had to repair a floor joist that had cracked. This should lever the boards apart and allow you to wiggle the crowbar further in to pry the boards free.

Slip an old work metal joist hanger onto the end of the joist. Thre ways to fix a sagging or sloping floor. Put the tip of the crowbar between the boards and push it in using the hammer to tap on the end. Then use pry bars and your reciprocating saw to pry and cut the floor joist away from the subfloor.

If only a few joists are rotted primarily at the bottom they can be repaired using a process known as sistering after the rot is cleaned away and the timber treated to prevent more problems a new joist is laid beside the old one and fastened to it. Get out your crowbar and your hammer. Squeeze a generous amount of carpenter s glue into the crack in the floor joist. How much repairing floor joists should cost.

Repair sagging cracked or broken floor framing. This will create a weak spot. Short videos and slideshow documenting our attempt at replacing rotten joists and flooring in a kitchen of a house we are currently renovating.