How to Fix a Bulging Joist

Roof Joist

• 1

  Inspect your roof joists and locate any bulging beams by eye. Measure the amount of bulge in the joist using your level. Take a measurement of the highest point of the raised floor in comparison to the rest of the floor surface using your tape measure. Take a measurement of the location of the highest point of the bulging joist from a structure which exists both above and below the floor using your tape measure.

• 2

  Access the underside of the floor and locate the damaged joist by measuring the distance from the structure you have chosen as a guideline, using your tape measure. Cut into the damaged joist from below using your handsaw, sawing about three-quarters of the way through.

• 3

  Wait two to three weeks as the pressure of the floor above drives the joist downward and splits the beam along the seam you have cut into it. Continually check the level of the raised portion of the floor until it has reached an acceptable point.

• 4

  Cut a piece of wood approximately the same size and shape as the joist and at least 6 feet long, using your handsaw. Attach the wooden joist support to the damaged joist with your hammer and nails. The cut portion of the joist should fall at the approximate center of the new joist support and four nails should be positioned evenly on either side of the damaged portion to hold the new joist support in place.