How much rot is to much?
#1
How much rot is to much?
I have a 5' span on the girder that has rot. I thinks it's called a double and it has what looks like plywood sandwich between. The rot has only effected one side of the girder and I have corrected the water issue and replaced the rotted joists. The joist are notched (original design) and run the span of 10' 10". I replaced one double with a triple, one single with a double and then four other singles. I was thinking of putting a PT 2x10 under the rotted span and make a support of some kind. The house was built in 1977 it is aprox. 1200 sq ft. and I am almost sure I have what they call a truss roof. Concerns are this area is the main bath 7.5 x 5.5 , laundry room 12.5 x 6 and another bath that is 9 x4. that these replaced joist sit under or close too. After I add new bathtub, shower and tile I feel like the load will be to much. I have just enough room to make a block column on each side of the rot or use jacks or something. I case this matters the load bearing walls are my hallway walls one of which sits right above this disaster. Suggestions as to what I can do please.
#2
Welcome to the forums! I don't see where the small amount of dark stuff will be degrading to your lumber, if that is the extent of it. Remember, any notched lumber will be reduced in size by one. If the joists are 2x8's, they now become 2x6's for bearing purposes. Are you experiencing any sagging in the floors?
#3
More info concerning rot
A picture of bathroom door the rot is here and about two feet to the right then a picture of what the beam/girder looks like from the top. I do not know the terms I just Google how to fix, read these treads then make hopefully the right decision.
#4
There was sag in the floor I had four completely rotted joist, I have replaced those and now starting on the sub floor and floor. Where I have the new sub floor and floor the new ply to the right in the picture it is now stiff and level.
#5
Group Moderator
How much is too much is a very subjective decision. Darkened often comes before rotten so it's possible for water stained or darkened wood to still be good and strong. I often use a screw driver to jab at the wood. In normal, good wood it will make a relatively shallow dent with a solid "thunk" sound. As the wood's condition worsens the screw driver will penetrate deeper and make a softer sound. In general if the wood makes you think of the word "spongy" it's rotten and has almost no structural value.
#6
Spongy at top about 1" then hardens the father you move down. So is this something I could support underneath with two columns or jacks past the rot so say a 9 ft. span of 2x8 PT wood on it's side supported by jacks or blocks? Set in a cement base, how deep for the base? What type of cement? In your opinion what would be best?