Floor joists support
#1
11-30-02, 02:48 PM
Floor joists support
I own a ~21 year old stick built rambler that has a ~3' crawl space. The crawl space has always been bone dry.
This construction utilizes a perimeter concrete foundation and ~10x12's running the length of the house for floor joists. These joists are supported every so often with 4x4 posts supported on ~2.5' dia. concrete pads. The bottom of the posts just sit on top of the pad with no brackets. Several of the pads have settled such that they are not level anymore, and the 4x4's do not touch the pads.
This is of course is causing bouncing floors, misaligned doors etc. In the past I have just jambed wood shims under the bottom of the post to provide support. But I need to fix this problem the right way this winter and was wondering what the procedure is for that?
I have a couple of screw type house jacks that could be used, but that doesn't seem like a proper fix either. Do they make a screw adjustable bracket that would go on the bottom of each of the 4x4's. Something that I could take wrench and take a couple of turns every so often to keep the pressure on?
What is the proper way to fix this issue? I have about 7 or 8 posts that are not being supported properly.
Wayne
This construction utilizes a perimeter concrete foundation and ~10x12's running the length of the house for floor joists. These joists are supported every so often with 4x4 posts supported on ~2.5' dia. concrete pads. The bottom of the posts just sit on top of the pad with no brackets. Several of the pads have settled such that they are not level anymore, and the 4x4's do not touch the pads.
This is of course is causing bouncing floors, misaligned doors etc. In the past I have just jambed wood shims under the bottom of the post to provide support. But I need to fix this problem the right way this winter and was wondering what the procedure is for that?
I have a couple of screw type house jacks that could be used, but that doesn't seem like a proper fix either. Do they make a screw adjustable bracket that would go on the bottom of each of the 4x4's. Something that I could take wrench and take a couple of turns every so often to keep the pressure on?
What is the proper way to fix this issue? I have about 7 or 8 posts that are not being supported properly.
Wayne
#2
11-30-02, 09:21 PM
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Wayne02,
I'm surprised that the concrete pads of the size you mentioned are not holding. I suspect that fill was placed back into the crawlspace and after a time, the fill is compacting unless you have questionable soil issues. The pads should have been placed on UNEXCAVATED SOILS.
What I am about to say is hard work but it is a fix that will last.
I assume that these were poured pads or just pad blocks - I have seen these on some projects. I recommend that each pad be removed, and dug down to a point where soils have not been disturbed. This may be an undertaking but while you're doing this, support the beams properly so that they do not shift. Repour the pads if needed, using post anchors for either 4x4's or 6x6's, but ensure that they are solid when done. With assistance from above, either using a 6' level or transit, re-level your floor and cut the new support posts to right length. Secure properly to the beam.
Your suggestion of using jacks to adjust ROUTINELY seems to be a waste of time and without a proper support pad, they will sink!
Hope this helps!
I'm surprised that the concrete pads of the size you mentioned are not holding. I suspect that fill was placed back into the crawlspace and after a time, the fill is compacting unless you have questionable soil issues. The pads should have been placed on UNEXCAVATED SOILS.
What I am about to say is hard work but it is a fix that will last.
I assume that these were poured pads or just pad blocks - I have seen these on some projects. I recommend that each pad be removed, and dug down to a point where soils have not been disturbed. This may be an undertaking but while you're doing this, support the beams properly so that they do not shift. Repour the pads if needed, using post anchors for either 4x4's or 6x6's, but ensure that they are solid when done. With assistance from above, either using a 6' level or transit, re-level your floor and cut the new support posts to right length. Secure properly to the beam.
Your suggestion of using jacks to adjust ROUTINELY seems to be a waste of time and without a proper support pad, they will sink!
Hope this helps!
#3
12-01-02, 09:07 AM
Originally posted by Doug Aleshire
[B]I'm surprised that the concrete pads of the size you mentioned are not holding. I suspect that fill was placed back into the crawlspace and after a time, the fill is compacting
[B]I'm surprised that the concrete pads of the size you mentioned are not holding. I suspect that fill was placed back into the crawlspace and after a time, the fill is compacting
I need to get back under there and see just how thick/heavy these pads are. I could have sworn I've seen some sort of bracket that fits on the bottom of a 4x4 and it has a screw thread which sits on the concrete pad somehow. This allows tightening and leveling of the joist without having to mess around with an exact cut of the 4x4. It provides the additional benefit of being able to crank up the pressure as the pad settles. Of course I may be hallucinating as well.
My thought on the house jacks was to set them on the pad and use it to replace the 4x4. The problem with this of course is that the jack won't sit level on a out of level pad.
Wayne
