Basement Floor Jack

PLEASE HELP! I live in an older home built in the 1930s. The kitchen floor has settled and now the floor jack beneath it has caused a very high spot in the kitchen floor. What is the best way to correct the problem? I need to replace the subfloor in front of the sink, and I have to level the floor before I can install a new kitchen floor. Do I put another jack in place and take out the other floor jack that has the kitchen raised up too high? What is the best way to correct this problem? Many thanks!

 

astin,

With site unseen, it is difficult to answer your question. Safety issues are a concern here as well as structural issues. You already know that something is moving, what exactly is unknown. I would strongly urge a professional to come and look at what you have. Foundation issues are definitely an issue. Removing jacks and replacing them may not resolve anything over a long term and before you invest in repairs or improvements, consult someone who can assess the situation. Nothing worse than wasting all your time and money.

Hope this helps!

 

Thank you for your reply, but my question is what "professional" do I call to tell me what I can do to correct the problem. I am sorry, its just i don't know who you call that does this kind of work. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

 

astin,

For issues like this a good concrete/masonry company is used, in most cases. They either do the work themselves and or work in cooperation with housemovers. More times than not it has been the concrete/masonry people that do it. Get at least contractors out there to look at it and get quotes to compare.

Sorry I didn't mention this before.

 

Astin: I can't see into your basement, but from what you say, it sounds like there is only one jack under your kitchen floor. If your floor is sloping, you need a beam and at least 2 floor jacks.
The beams are jacked into place with hydraulic jacks then the post jacks are put into place, with a good footing under them. The beam needs to span what ever length or width you are trying to raise. You need one post jack about every 8 feet, and sometimes a little less if it warrants it. One thing to look at in your basement, is if you have a rotten or cracked floor joist. This is really the major cause for sloping floors. Foundations is the second one of which Doug is referring to. Instead of a concrete contractor, I might look in the phone book for a building contractor that has foundations listed. The reason I say this is that concrete guys like to pour concrete, weather you need it or not. Get my drift. Good Luck

 

if you have a high spot on a jacked floor(assuming the jack is in the middle) it sounds to me like big issues. if you could give me floor dimensions and where the jack is located in relation to those i could better help you

 

A structural engineer might be a good profesional to call.

 

How old is the post? Is it original to the house? If it is original it would indicate that the ends of the beam settled and the post footer did not. The solution MIGHT be to then shorten the post. If the post was added later, the house moved after the post was added. This could be a little more serious. You need to find out if the motion of the beams other supports is ongoing or a done thing.