How to Install Single Nail Grip Tooth Floor Joist Bridging

Joists are structural supports underneath the subfloor, stretching from one exterior wall to another. They are installed during the construction or remodeling phases of a house or building. The joists must be perfectly level for the floor above it to also be level and even. Install bridging, which spans adjoining joists, to prevent the joists from sagging, to distribute the load between joists and to prevent twisting. The teeth of the bridging help grip the wood, while a nail keeps it stable. For this type of installation, use metal bridging instead of wood.

Metal bridging
Hammer
8d 1-1/2-inch nails

Instructions

- 1
  Hold the bridging unit so that the straight end is up. Position this end against the top of the joist.
- 2
  Hit the heel of the bridging unit's bent end with a hammer, driving the teeth into the top part of the joist.
- 3
  Position the bent end of the bridging unit against the lower edge of the opposite joist. Insert one 8d 1 1/2-inch nail through the hole in the bent end of the unit and drive the nail into the joist, using a hammer.
- 4
  Install a second bridging unit beside the first one. This time, install the bridging unit's straight end near the top of the second joist, and its bent end near the bottom of the first joist. This way, the two bridging units form an X.
- 5
  Continue installing pairs of bridging units along the two joists, at the intervals specified by the bridging manufacturer's installation instructions. This bridging is normally placed at the midway point of the joist span with joists that span 8 to 12 feet, or at intervals of between every 6 to 7 feet.

The Best Floor Underlay for Noise Reduction

How to Fix a Rotting Floor Under a Toilet

Floor Repairs