I took out the shower/tub out of our 25yr old home and found to my horror that the 2 x 10 joist under the tub drain was hachetted out 80%. ( see attached photos)
Whether this is a common practice or not I would like to reinforce it somehow and am looking for perspectives on the best way to proceed.
As you can see I cannot strap another 2 x 10 because of the wires and existing plumbing. My thoughts are these.
1) Pull up the 4ft of existing floor area around the joist, then glue and screw as much length as I can of 2 x 2 on either side of the joist, at the bottom. Then do the same for the top of the joist with 2.5 x 2
or
2) Screw 3/8″ angle iron to the bottom, flat iron on either side of the top of the joists.
Any other ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks
Replies
For me, there wouldn't be any other solution that didn't involve moving the ABS, NM cable, and whatever else is there, and getting a good sandwich of 2x or plywood.
IMHO, anything else I can quickly think of smacks of "band-aids on bullet wounds".
Doesn't mean there aren't other viable solutions, only that I'm currently too tired to come up with one.
Someone will be along soon with some sound advice for sure.
edit: That's the kinda krappp that gives plumbers in general a bad name!
The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
Edited 10/9/2008 1:45 pm ET by davidhawks
What's that grey metal looking thing under the joist? In the 1st pic is in the lower right, in the 2nd pic its in the lower left.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Edited 10/9/2008 3:06 pm ET by FastEddie
HVAC trunk line I'd say.'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
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Plumbers.....You gotta love em.
My brothers' a plumber and often calls me in on jobs just like these.
I always tell him that I love covering up his best work........and sometimes not so great. Its a tough call depending on how deep you want to go. It already has lasted 25 years...Is that right.
Without moving everything, I would tie everything together with blocking where ever possible. The span isn't that big and once you glue and fasten the flooring I think you'll be ok.
"Gentle to the touch, exquisite to contemplate, tractable in creative hands, stronger by weight than iron, wood is, as William Penn had said,"a substance with a soul.'"
Eric Sloane
Thank you for your replies,
The grey colour is heating duct and the span of the joist is 9ft with the chunk taken out in the middle of the span.
I discovered this afternoon that the plumber/person put a copper pipe through the joist 1 inch from the bottom and 2ft from where the big chunk was taken out. So the idea of strapping the bottom side of the joist is out.
The joist is above two heating ducts and a furnace.
Just getting in any length of lumber will be a challenge.
Considering I want to put in a tile shower above I have a lot of decisions to make.
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Do #1, glue and screw 2X on the sides and/or bottom of the joist. What you will be doing is making you own glue/lam/trust/joist. Pre-drill the 2X, so the 3" drywall screw pulls it in tighter. If the underfloor is accessible, then screwing & gluing 1/2 plywood will do the same too.
Also, I you're installing a cast iron tub, make sure your nail a 2X4 ledger to the studs to support the rim of the tub.
I think the plywood and glue sandwich is a good idea.
I will be going with that plus the 2x2 where I can.
Appreciat the help.