Over Spanned Floor Joists

Walking over sagging, uneven, and bouncy floors is inconvenient and unsafe. One of the likely causes is over spanned floor joists, a hidden threat in your home’s crawl space. 

When it comes to maintaining the structural integrity of your home, identifying and addressing issues with your floor joists is crucial. Ohio Basement Authority specializes in providing top-notch crawl space repair solutions for over spanned floor joists like SettleStop™ IntelliJack™ Crawl Space Jacks, ensuring the stability and safety of your home. 

In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about over spanned floor joists, including their causes and how to fix them. We’ll also explain why Ohio Basement Authority is your go-to for crawl space repairs in Ohio and Northern Kentucky. 

What Are Over Spanned Floor Joists? 

Over spanned floor joists occur when the horizontal lumber beams that support your main floor—known as joists—are spaced too far apart or are not strong enough to carry the load. This compromises the structural integrity of the floor. 

Over spanned floor joists become inadequate, weakening the floor structure and causing a myriad of potential problems, including: 

• Sagging floors 
• Bouncy floors 
• Uneven floors 
• Tripping hazards 
• Rattling furniture 
• Creaking noises 
• Drywall cracks on walls and ceilings 
• Wall and floor gaps 
• Sticking windows and doors 

A proper joist span ensures that your floors remain even, firm, and capable of supporting the weight of your home, furniture, and daily activities. It is essential to address this problem promptly to prevent further damage and ensure the safety and stability of your home. 

What Causes Over Spanned Floor Joists? 

There are several potential causes of over spanned floor joists, including: 

• Water: Crawl space moisture, humidity, and dampness can warp wooden joists over time and lead to sagging. 
• Pest Infestations: Pests like termites can eat away joist material, weakening their support. 
• Foundation Damage: Foundation settling, shifting, or damage spreads uneven stress across joists. 
• Construction Issues: In some cases, joists may be spaced too far apart during the home’s initial construction, leading to inadequate support.  
• Age: The floor and joists can weaken over time if they don’t have enough supplemental support. 

It is crucial to promptly identify and address these causes to prevent long-term damage and ensure the structural integrity of your home. Regular inspections and maintenance can help identify potential issues before they become severe, saving you time and money in the long run. 

Can You Fix Over Spanned Floor Joists? 

Yes, over spanned floor joists can be fixed, and it is crucial to address this issue promptly to prevent further damage and ensure the safety and stability of your home.  

However, piecemeal fixes like sistering joists or adding light-duty posts often fail to comprehensively stabilize a weakened floor. Implementing DIY repairs and products from big-box stores can also be dangerous and expensive.  

Fixing over spanned floor joists properly requires a comprehensive approach, ensuring that the entire structure is supported adequately. Ohio Basement Authority offers a range of solutions designed to provide the necessary support and stability, preventing further damage and ensuring the long-term integrity of your home. 

How Ohio Basement Authority Fixes Over Spanned Floor Joists 

Our team follows these steps to effectively remedy over spanned floor joists: 

• Inspect the crawl space for damage, determining the cause and appropriate repairs. 
• Cut steel IntelliJack™ supports to fit the crawl space. 
• Place a durable concrete base in the crawl space. 
• Assemble IntelliJack™ components, connecting to the base and floor joist. 
• Adjust the support jack to stabilize and potentially lift floors. 
• Waterproof the crawl space with drainage and a sump pump. 
• Conceal vents and replace doors. 
• Insulate crawl space walls. 
• Encapsulate the crawl space with a thick vapor barrier. 
• Dehumidify the crawl space. 
• Schedule annual maintenance to ensure the systems’ longevity. 

Ohio Basement Authority offers a line of proprietary solutions personalized to address your specific issues, outperforming competitor products and ensuring the best results for your home. While the IntelliJack™ addresses structural issues, other crawl space essentials address moisture problems that lead to floor joist damage.  

Why Address Over Spanned Floor Joists Now 

Repairing over spanned floor joists right away is essential for many reasons: 

• Prevent Further Damage: Addressing over spanned floor joists now prevents further damage and ensures the longevity of your home’s structure. 
• Ensure Safety: A stable floor structure is vital for your home and family’s safety.  
• Maintain Home Value: Fixing structural issues helps maintain and potentially increase the value of your property. 
• Avoid Costly Repairs Later: Addressing the issue now can save you from more expensive repairs in the future. 

Trust Ohio Basement Authority and our customized, proprietary products to fully address over spanned floor joists. These solutions are designed to effectively and reliably provide your home with the comprehensive support it needs. 

Contact Ohio Basement Authority for Reliable Crawl Space Repair Solutions 

Don’t wait until it’s too late—sagging and uneven floors resulting from over spanned floor joists indicate serious problems. If you’re dealing with over spanned floor joists, look no further than Ohio Basement Authority.  

Contact Ohio Basement Authority today for a free inspection and to discuss repair options. Our experts can design a robust stabilization plan to properly support your floors for years to come. Take the first step towards ensuring the stability and safety of your home.