Floor Beam Adjustment in a Crawl Space

Sagging Beams

• Floor beams rarely split or break completely. The wood they are made from is too flexible for these types of flaws, but they can start to sag or rot, especially when they encounter moisture trapped in crawl spaces or when they are made from low quality timber. These beams are already in place. Joists and framework cannot be adjusted by actually shifting them from place to place. But they can be adjusted and supported to fix issues that are recognized early enough.

Adjusting Joists

• If the joists are simply too weak to easily support the weight of the walls or other appliances above them, they can be adjusted by adding other joists. When new beams are bracketed onto the old boards, the additional support can be enough to deal with new weight. Of course, damaged joists will need to be replaced entirely, which is more expensive. Adding vapor barriers and metal brackets connected to other beams can protect joists from further damage.

Jacks

• Crawl space jacks are metal rods installed underneath the floor beams to repair sags and create enough support for the house. The jacks need proper footing, which may mean drilling and adding new mortar or concrete blocks to the foundation beneath the floor. Once properly grounded, the jacks can be extended to the sagging joists and adjusted to create level floor beams.

Alternative Posts

• Jacks are not the only way to prop up problematic joists or beams. The alternatives tend to be more expensive, although they can also be longer-lasting. Wooden beams can be embedded in the foundation and bracketed to the joists like jacks. Concrete pilings can also be created. These supports all address the same tasks, but one material may fit a house better than other options.