Over Spanned Floor Joists

A home’s floors should be safe and steady, but over spanned floor joists can undermine this stability, leading to uneven and potentially unsafe flooring. 

Tar Heel Basement Systems is a leader in addressing foundation concerns throughout North Carolina, offering specialized solutions for over spanned floor joists. Our advanced SettleStop™ IntelliJack™ Crawl Space Jacks are designed to reinforce and stabilize your home’s foundation, ensuring a level and secure living space. 

This detailed guide will introduce you to the problem of over spanned floor joists, explore their causes and consequences, and explain how Tar Heel Basement Systems provides effective, long-lasting crawl space repair solutions. 

Diagnosing Over Spanned Floor Joists 

Over spanned floor joists are a common issue where the joists that support your home’s floors are not spaced correctly or lack the required strength, leading to several noticeable problems: 

• Floors that sag or feel unsteady 
• Bouncing or uneven walking surfaces 
• Increased tripping hazards due to uneven floors 
• Movement in furniture during use 
• Audible creaking sounds when the floors are under load 
• Cracking in the drywall of walls and ceilings 
• Gaps forming between walls and floors 
• Windows and doors that stick or are difficult to operate 

Ensuring that joists are properly spanned is vital to maintaining even, firm floors. Addressing over spanned floor joists is critical to prevent further damage and to ensure the safety and longevity of your home. 

Root Causes of Over Spanned Floor Joists 

The causes of over spanned floor joists can be diverse: 

• Moisture: Excessive dampness in crawl spaces can lead to the warping and weakening of joists. 
• Infestation: Termites and other pests can damage the wooden joists, reducing their structural integrity. 
• Foundation Issues: Foundation movement can place irregular stress on joists. 
• Construction Defects: Incorrect joist placement during construction can result in a lack of support. 
• Natural Aging: Over time, floor joists may weaken without additional support. 

Addressing these causes early can prevent extensive damage and maintain your home’s structural health. Regular inspections can reveal potential issues before they escalate. 

Solutions for Over Spanned Floor Joists 

Over spanned floor joists can be corrected, and it’s important to act quickly to avoid additional damage and maintain the safety and stability of your home. 

Temporary fixes or partial solutions often don’t provide long-term stability. It’s best to avoid DIY repairs that could be unsafe and costly. 

Tar Heel Basement Systems employs a comprehensive, professional strategy to ensure the entire floor structure is adequately supported. Our proven solutions offer permanent stability for your home’s structure. 

Tar Heel Basement Systems’ Repair Process 

At Tar Heel Basement Systems, we follow these steps to correct over spanned floor joists effectively: 

• Conduct an in-depth crawl space inspection to identify the issue and the best fix. 
• Tailor the IntelliJack™ support system to suit the specific requirements of your crawl space. 
• Install a solid concrete base for the IntelliJack™ supports. 
• Assemble the IntelliJack™ system, attaching it to the base and the joist securely. 
• Adjust the support system to provide instant stabilization and floor lifting. 
• Implement waterproofing measures, including drainage and sump pump systems. 
• Seal vents, replace old doors, and insulate the crawl space walls. 
• Encapsulate the crawl space with a vapor barrier. 
• Install a dehumidifier to regulate humidity levels. 
• Offer regular maintenance to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the repair systems. 

Tar Heel Basement Systems provides customized solutions that go beyond what’s available on the market, ensuring that your home receives the most effective support for over spanned joists. 

The Importance of Immediate Action on Over Spanned Floor Joists 

Addressing over spanned floor joists is critical for several reasons: 

• Preventing Additional Damage: Immediate repair can stop further deterioration, safeguarding your home’s structural integrity. 
• Safety Assurance: Ensuring that your floor structure is stable is crucial for the safety of your family. 
• Value Preservation: Fixing structural issues helps to maintain, and potentially increase, your home’s value. 
• Cost Avoidance: Early repairs can prevent more costly interventions in the future. 

Trust Tar Heel Basement Systems and our proprietary, customized products for comprehensive and reliable solutions for over spanned floor joists, securing the long-term stability and safety of your home. 

Get Expert Crawl Space Repair from Tar Heel Basement Systems 

If you’re contending with sagging or uneven floors because of over spanned floor joists, Tar Heel Basement Systems has the expertise to help. 

Contact us for a free inspection and to learn more about our crawl space repair options. Our skilled professionals are ready to develop a durable floor stabilization plan that ensures the longevity of your home’s structure. Begin the journey to a safer, more stable home today.