I am remodeling my 1930s house, and I’m going to be adding a soapstone countertop to a new kitchen peninsula. I’m concerned about adding too much weight to the joists. The joists sag (80 year old house), however they don’t seem to deflect much under normal foot traffic. The peninsula will run parallel to the joists, so most of the weight will be on two joists. I’m estimating the weight of the soapstone to be about 500-600 pounds. Joists are 2×12 and 12’long, and I plan to strengthen the underside of the joists with 1/8″x1-1/2″ steel straps. Do you think this will be enough to support the extra weight, or do you think a support column in the middle of the span is warranted? I’d prefer not to use the column, for space reasons in the basement. Also, sistering is not really an option because of gas and water pipes, radiator pipes, and electric lines between the joists. Thanks.
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Also, I'm using 12x12 soapstone tiles on the kitchen floor. Does anyone think this plus the 600 lb. peninsula countertop is an excessive load for the joists?
Your steel strapping scheme on the tension side of the joists makes a lot of sense. Consider shoring (not jacking up, because old joists can take a permanent set and you might cause damage) across the mid span before you screw the straps into place. Also, make sure that you have solid blocking at mid span. You could also double up the affected joists with LVLs, depending on pipe and electric runs.
12' is not an excessive span for 2 x 12s.
Jeff
Yeah, I didn't think 600 lb. was too much weight on the joists, considering it would be similar to three average size men standing in that spot. And I agree about not jacking up the joists...I only planned to shore them up with a post if necessary. I think I'll try the steel strapping by itself first and check the amount of deflection to see if the post is necessary. Thanks for your input.
Have done the steel strap method a number of times, it is a great way to go.
Easily can double the strength of a beam or joist.
If I can find an old post about doubling the strength of a 16 ft 6x12, I'll edit and post the link and pix
(Rez has such BT post skills that he probably could find it even faster if he sees this post!)
edit, OK found it, go to 62466.1
Edited 2/11/2009 4:02 pm ET by junkhound