How to Level House Floors Due to Settling of the House

A house is built on top of a concrete foundation. The foundation is strong enough to hold the weight of the entire house. Unfortunately, the soil underneath the foundation is not always strong enough to hold the weight of the home. If the soil begins to sink, so will your house. This may cause the floors of the home to sag. Floor jacks can be used to raise the sagging floor, which is then supported by a new, sistered joist for added strength.

Rafter ties
Screws
Drill
4-by-6 rafter
Beam
Floor jacks
Metal plates
Lumber
Construction adhesive
Nails
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Attach two rafter ties to a 4-by-6 beam using screws spaced evenly to attach to the floor joists on the underside of the floor.
- 2
  Lift the 4-by-6 beam up to the rafter and attach the beam using the rafter ties.
- 3
  Set a thick wooden beam underneath the 4-by-6, on the floor.
- 4
  Set up two floor jacks, evenly spaced along the wooden beam.
- 5
  Slide a steel plate underneath the floor jack.
- 6
  Raise the floor jack to the 4-by-6 until the jack is tight.
- 7
  Turn the jack 1/8 inch a day until the joist meets the floor material.
- 8
  Measure the length of the sagging joist and have a piece of lumber cut to the same length.
- 9
  Apply construction adhesive to one side of the cut piece of lumber.
- 10
  Drive three nails going from the top to the bottom of the new piece of lumber every 16 inches.

Repairing Chipped Stone Tile

Ripping Out Carpet on Stairs

Floor Repairs