Sagging Floor Joist Repair

Signs of a sagging floor

Sagging, bouncy, buckling or creaking floors? Gaps between the walls and the floor? All of these are symptoms of floor joist damage, and as any other type of foundation-related problem, it should be addressed as soon as it is noticed, to prevent further damage.

The main cause of sagging and buckling floor is excess moisture on the areas underneath it, meaning the basement or crawl space. High relative humidity levels cause moisture to condense over every surface in the crawl space and basement, which includes the floor joists. The wood in the floor structure will soak up all that moisture and start to soften and swell, causing the floors to sag or buckle. Left unattended, the problem can become worse and more difficult to solve. Moist wood is known to feed mold and dry rot, and it is also particularly attractive to termites, carpenter ants and other pests.

Repairing floor joists

The safest and permanent way to effectively repair floor joists is to start by addressing the main cause. Eliminate moisture in the basement or crawl space by properly sealing and waterproofing these areas. A good dehumidifier will help keep the relative humidity down and protect your floor joists in the long run.

If the joists are not already compromised by mold, dry rot or termites, they can be easily repaired using crawl space jacks and basement posts. Jacks and posts can help support and stabilize the floor joists restoring the floor structure to its original position.

If you’re looking for a foundation floor joist repair, contact your local foundation repair expert today.