Replies

1. 
   rez | Mar 12, 2005 05:17am | #1

   bump

   ATTENTION BREAKTIME MEMBERS: If you`d like to discuss topics other than home building, come on down to the Woodshed Tavern. Great bunch of guys and gals letting off a little steam about everything and anything. Its not a special club, but.....as of Monday, March 14, the Tavern folder will go behind an access wall. Only those who request access to this folder by contacting [email protected] will be able to view and participate in discussions there.  "furthermore, be forewarned that while some may prefer tea and scones with an eminently civilized conversation, you may occasionally run across those who like an ice cold suds to go with a good old fashioned argument.  under no circumstances however, will there be fisticuffs or blue language allowed, but otherwise feel free to enjoy our little establishment as a consenting adult."...

2. 
   Piffin | Mar 12, 2005 05:37am | #2

   This gets confusing when you leap into a previous thread. hope you can get the reply here. - I know , you're new to the forums so welcome and here goes...

   I would not undo all that brick work and such, just set a new beam and a few posts under the span.

    

    

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   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
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1. 
   JimForbes | Mar 13, 2005 06:07pm | #3

   Thanks for your responce, piffin. 

   The dificulty I'm facing here also is that the duct work is directly under the worst of the cracked joists (under the support wall on the first floor) thus my want to keep the area clear.  I'm also considering using the engineered joist system, not the I beam system but the heavy solid stock (whatever you call that) and as for the brick work it is just inset between the joists on top of the concrete wall, in some spots it's already lose, otherwise I'd agree it'd be crazy to start fussing with brickwork as well.

   Looking at some of the other discussions on joists, I have to say that mine are definately in need of assistance as they are cracked right through with the crack ending up in a point at the bottom of the joist about 4 feet away from where it started.

   thanks again for your help!

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 13, 2005 08:04pm | #4

   LVL is the other solid engineered material. Usually for beam build up and headers but I've used them too for overspan situations when the expense was worth the need 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   SamT | Mar 14, 2005 01:39am | #5

   Grizz

   >>first floor center supporting wall was offset by about a foot to the center supporting wall in the basement

   >>cracked joists (under the support wall on the first floor)

   >>duct work is directly under the worst of the cracked joists

   >>crack ending up in a point at the bottom of the joist about 4 feet away from where it started

   2 story +basement?

   Whats in the attic on top of the bearing wall that's giving you all the cracks?

   IMO,

   Place a bearing beam next to the ductwork sitting on new columns, themselves sitting on proper footings. Set new, very short joists from the new bearing beam to the old bearing wall.

   Can you move your ductwork in the basement right next to the bearing (concrete center supporting) wall? Put a false ceiling under the ducts, ala 'soffet', with some puck lights in it and make it a 'feature.'

   A crack crossing a joist in just 4' means the grain in that joist is at a severe angle and it should not have been used as a joist. However the joist can be repaired and made strong enough without sistering (not crippling) a new joist in the full length joist in, if you remove the weight of the first floor bearing wall.

   SamT

1. 
   JimForbes | Mar 15, 2005 11:52pm | #6

   You're correct it is a two story home plus an attic.  What extra weight is there?  None really ONLY a hundred years of foot traffic and general farm house use.  The second floor there is a hallway separating bedrooms on either side, also the cracked joists are within the first two joists of the central chimney which was also used as a central point in which to set the joists.