How to Find a Floor Joist Under the Carpet

Floor joists add support to a floor that stretches out over an open space. The joists are under the floor, help it support more weight, and last longer without buckling or suffering damage. They are normally made from either natural or engineered lumber, and are typically placed between two and 20 feet apart from each other, depending on the floor. Finding an existing floor joist in a floor that is carpeted requires some investigation.

Needle-nose pliers
Tape measure

Instructions

- 1
  Pinch the edge of the carpeting at the corner of a room with a pair of needle-nose pliers and pull up on the carpet. This lifts it up so you can see the pad underneath it.
- 2
  Pull up the pad so you have access to the subfloor. This is where you locate the joists.
- 3
  Search for two rows of nails close together. Each row of nails indicates a joist and the distance between the rows indicates how far the joists are spaced across the room.
- 4
  Measure the distance between the nail rows, and then run the tape measure across the floor to estimate where the other joists are without having to pull up more of the carpeting.
- 5
  Put the carpeting back down once you have located the joists.

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