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Does anyone have a suggestion on how to level a kitchen floor that is uneven as a result of one joist warping up? The joist is a 12′ span with a crown at least 1″ higher than all other joists. It is fairly easy to access since the basement is unfinished. Should i be trying to remove this joist, or is there a easier method?
Rob Elliott
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Replies
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If you could get at it, you could try and cut out the crown and since it's nigh impossible to cut it true, overcut it and scab to the side with something to attach your subfloor to. Or, slip one in next to it (near) and cut it clear through, then sister the straight one to it. Maybe too, but I've never done this to a floor joist and if there's anymore bearing than you and a cpl groceries you might not try it. Cut clear through, making sure it don't fall out and scab a long plywood flitchplate to the side/sides. Best of luck.
*I have the same problem, only on a larger scale. My house was built with 2X12 floor joists, which are above spec, but the builder used green lumber, not kiln-dried. So some of them are bowing upwards and some are bowing downward. My kitchen is like a the moguls on a ski run. Anyway, an engineer told me the solution was to sister straight KD joists up to the warped ones. Those warped downward would first require jacking up the subfloor, ripping the nails out, to get the straight one in. On those with an upward warp, once the new straight joist is in, the warped one should be cut at the high point, allowing the subfloor to drop onto the new joist. For just one joist, this shouldn't be too much trouble, but I estimate about half of mine need to be replaced. Obviously, you should have access to the top of the subfloor to screw it down to the new joists, otherwise squeek city. I am contemplating working from the top down, i.e., ripping off the subfloor (which appears to be 1/2" plywood!), correcting the joists, and installing 3/4 plywood. Not that big a deal in the living and dining rooms, but the kitchen, where it is the worst, will be a huge job, since all cabinets must be R&R. I, too, am open to suggestions.
*what has this done to the flooring material? a one inch rise would break tiles. vinyl will stretch. the advice to cut and drop will work, the advice to put joist that is straight and try to pull in line does not always work, but I have done it using a microlam and was able to pull joist true. if you cut joist, you should put a joist next to cut joist for entire length of board, do not just "sister" it to it part way. one last thing to consider is to span over sideways to joists on either side and try to pull joist in center down to peice used to span. you can nail or polt blocks to either side if warped joist and use clamps to pull down joist, then fasten as needed.
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Does anyone have a suggestion on how to level a kitchen floor that is uneven as a result of one joist warping up? The joist is a 12' span with a crown at least 1" higher than all other joists. It is fairly easy to access since the basement is unfinished. Should i be trying to remove this joist, or is there a easier method?
Rob Elliott