| House Call: Repairing Split Floor Joist |
From "Complete Fix-It"
episode CFI-102 |
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DIY's Complete Fix-It host Brad Staggs visits a homeowner whose floor has a split joist: not only does the wood contain a natural crack, but it was also damaged when a plumber drilled through it. Staggs determines that placing a brace on either side, rather than replacing the entire joist, will be sufficient to solve the problem. Materials:
Board (2"x8"x12')
Tape measure
Carpenter's square
Circular saw
Gloves
Safety glasses
Hammer, flat bar
Construction adhesive
Level
Bolts (6"x1/2"), washers and nuts
Drill/bit, wide-angle adapter
Jack post and jack
- Use a tape measure to find the halfway point in the board's length, then with a circular saw and a carpenter's square cut the board in half. Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection when cutting wood.
- Using a hammer or a flat bar, remove the old braces (be careful not to hit any plumbing).
- Apply adhesive to one side of each brace.
- Position braces on either side of the damaged joist; clamp loosely.
- Make a jack post by nailing a scrap of 2-by-8 to a 4-by-4 post cut slightly shorter than the distance between the floor and the top of the jack. Jack up the joist to its original position and check for level.
- Nail the braces in place.
- Drill four 1/2-inch holes on both sides of the braces and insert bolts, washers and nuts; tighten.
- Remove clamps and release the jack. The joist should now remain firmly in place.
Note: To order the new HGTV's Complete Fix-It book, see Resources, below.
RESOURCES :
HGTV's Complete Fix-It
Author: HGTV
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