To jack or not to jack a cracked joist?
#1
04-04-19, 09:50 AM
To jack or not to jack a cracked joist?
Short version:
I have a joist that is cracked, was cut a hair too short, does not have a hanger and is resting the majority of it's weight on a fairly large copper pipe. I think the right thing to do is jack up the joist to level height and install a hanger. Thoughts and/or suggestions?
Long Version:
After replacing a toilet that had overflowed from the tank several times, I discovered that the floor below the new toilet slopes heavily. The wider older toilet hid this. When I went to the basement to assess the situation, I discovered signs of water issues spanning years. Digging deeper, I discovered that one Joist is cracked and two bridges have been added on the opposite side however, they hid a damaged bridge with a second one. The first bridge isn't making any contact along the top; this is the source of my sloped bathroom floor. Additionally, the cracked joist has all but given up. It's bottom half of the joist is resting right on a 1 1\2 copper pipe on the soldered connection with an elbow. To make matters worse, this joist was not set on a hanger like the others and... several other joists were cut a hair too short but they have hangers. I would simply sister the joist but there have been so many later additions through the floor and the joist that make a sister joist a very difficult addition and extremely expensive. My thought is to jack the joist so it's at the right height and then insert a hanger as best I can. Thoughts are very much appreciated...!
I have a joist that is cracked, was cut a hair too short, does not have a hanger and is resting the majority of it's weight on a fairly large copper pipe. I think the right thing to do is jack up the joist to level height and install a hanger. Thoughts and/or suggestions?
Long Version:
After replacing a toilet that had overflowed from the tank several times, I discovered that the floor below the new toilet slopes heavily. The wider older toilet hid this. When I went to the basement to assess the situation, I discovered signs of water issues spanning years. Digging deeper, I discovered that one Joist is cracked and two bridges have been added on the opposite side however, they hid a damaged bridge with a second one. The first bridge isn't making any contact along the top; this is the source of my sloped bathroom floor. Additionally, the cracked joist has all but given up. It's bottom half of the joist is resting right on a 1 1\2 copper pipe on the soldered connection with an elbow. To make matters worse, this joist was not set on a hanger like the others and... several other joists were cut a hair too short but they have hangers. I would simply sister the joist but there have been so many later additions through the floor and the joist that make a sister joist a very difficult addition and extremely expensive. My thought is to jack the joist so it's at the right height and then insert a hanger as best I can. Thoughts are very much appreciated...!
#2
04-04-19, 10:16 AM
Group Moderator
Sounds about right. But we can't see it like you can. I bet anything you try will be better than it is now.
#3
04-04-19, 11:07 AM
Group Moderator
If the joist is cracked/broken or rotten it should be replaced or sistered with a good joist.
#4
04-07-19, 08:12 AM
Thank you for going through this long post. I wish I could just sister it. I think I’d be more comfortable with that but, that would require a complete adjustment to water and electric lines that I am not really looking to do. I’m trying to weigh my options and I think the hanger is my only option within my budget. I am also concerned about the other joists that are not making full contact with the beams they are connected to. They are secure with their respective hangers but I feel like they should be meeting on those ends since they are just laying on top of the beams on the other side.
