What You Should Know About Floor Joist Repair in New England
New England homes are known for their historic charm, colonial architecture, and rugged resilience. But beneath the allure, structural elements like floor joists can quietly suffer damage that, if left unaddressed, can compromise the safety and stability of the entire home.
This is where floor joist repair comes in. By supporting weakened and damaged floor joists, you can improve stability in your home. Learn more below.
What Are Floor Joists and Why Are They Important?
Floor joists are horizontal support beams that span across a crawl space or basement, forming the framework that supports the subfloor and everything above it, including furniture, appliances, and the people who live in the home. Most joists are made from wood, although some modern construction uses engineered lumber or steel.
If joists become damaged, floors can sag, bounce, or even collapse in extreme cases. Addressing floor joist damage early is key to maintaining a safe, level, and structurally sound living space.
Common Causes of Floor Joist Damage in New England
Several regional factors contribute to floor joist deterioration in New England homes:
Moisture and Humidity
New England’s climate brings high humidity in the summer, melting snow in the spring, and heavy rainfall throughout the year. Excess moisture in crawl spaces or basements creates the perfect environment for wood rot and mold. Wooden joists that absorb moisture lose their strength and may begin to sag or deteriorate over time.
Termites and Other Pests
Wood-boring pests like termites and carpenter ants thrive in damp environments and can severely weaken floor joists by eating away at the wood from the inside out. Because these pests often work silently, damage can go unnoticed for years.
Foundation Settlement
Shifting or settling foundations, often caused by expansive soils, freeze-thaw cycles, or poor drainage, can change the way weight is distributed across floor joists. This added stress may cause cracking, bowing, or joint separation.
Overloading and Poor Construction
Older homes may have floor joists that were sized according to outdated building codes or not designed to handle modern loads like granite countertops or large appliances. Additionally, improperly cut or notched joists can significantly weaken structural integrity.
Signs Your Floor Joists Might Be Damaged
Homeowners don’t need to be structural engineers to recognize when something’s off with their floor joists. Here are some common signs of trouble:
If you notice any of these problems, contact a floor joist repair specialist like Groundworks straight away. We can inspect your floor joists, determine the cause of failure, and suggest custom-engineered repair solutions.
How Professionals Repair Damaged Floor Joists
If you suspect floor joist damage, it’s essential to bring in a qualified foundation or structural repair expert. Here’s what the repair process typically involves:
1. Inspection and Assessment
Professionals begin by conducting a thorough inspection of the crawl space or basement. They’ll identify which joists are affected, assess the extent of the damage, and determine the underlying cause.
2. Addressing the Root Cause
Sometimes, before any repairs can be effective, the root problem must be solved. This might involve installing vapor barriers or dehumidifiers to control moisture or upgrading drainage systems with crawl space waterproofing.
3. Installing Supplemental Support
Severely deteriorated joists that cannot be salvaged may need to be completely removed and replaced. In these cases, adjustable crawl space jacks are used to redistribute weight and support the floor.
Choose Groundworks for Sagging Floor Joist Repair
Floor joist damage is a hidden but serious threat in many New England homes. With the region’s wet climate, historic construction, and variable soil conditions, joist problems are not uncommon, but they are manageable with timely professional help.
If you’ve noticed sagging floors, musty smells, or cracks in your drywall, it may be time to take a closer look at what’s going on beneath your floorboards. Get started today with a free crawl space inspection from Groundworks.
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