Floor Joist Cracked





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Crack along floor Joist in crawl space. Another similar on the same joist further down. Major issue or simple fix? Suggestions?



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  • 1




    I doubt it's 2 inches thick unless your home is more than 80 years old. What am I seeing along the bottom if not a rabbet? Just a dirt line?
    – isherwood
    2 days ago








  • 1




    "It's the soup of the day." I realize the joist spans the house. How many feet and inches is that?
    – isherwood
    2 days ago






  • 2




    Also curious about the dirt line to the left...
    – Aloysius Defenestrate
    2 days ago






  • 2




    I didn't mean the pipe. There's a brownish horizontal line that corresponds with the crack. I initially saw that as a shadow in a rabbet. Now I see that it's just discoloration or maybe the crack itself.
    – isherwood
    2 days ago








  • 3




    If it's sagging you can just use a jack with a post to carefully lift the joist back to level (make a T-bar to cross several joists and lift until they come to the same plane). You can then sister a joist to one or both sides - drill and lag bolt with big washers and construction adhesive. Job done. From the pictures it doesn't look worth the effort, to be honest.
    – J...
    2 days ago



















up vote
2
down vote

favorite












Crack along floor Joist in crawl space. Another similar on the same joist further down. Major issue or simple fix? Suggestions?



enter image description here



enter image description here










share|improve this question









New contributor




Mike C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 1




    I doubt it's 2 inches thick unless your home is more than 80 years old. What am I seeing along the bottom if not a rabbet? Just a dirt line?
    – isherwood
    2 days ago








  • 1




    "It's the soup of the day." I realize the joist spans the house. How many feet and inches is that?
    – isherwood
    2 days ago






  • 2




    Also curious about the dirt line to the left...
    – Aloysius Defenestrate
    2 days ago






  • 2




    I didn't mean the pipe. There's a brownish horizontal line that corresponds with the crack. I initially saw that as a shadow in a rabbet. Now I see that it's just discoloration or maybe the crack itself.
    – isherwood
    2 days ago








  • 3




    If it's sagging you can just use a jack with a post to carefully lift the joist back to level (make a T-bar to cross several joists and lift until they come to the same plane). You can then sister a joist to one or both sides - drill and lag bolt with big washers and construction adhesive. Job done. From the pictures it doesn't look worth the effort, to be honest.
    – J...
    2 days ago















up vote
2
down vote

favorite









up vote
2
down vote

favorite











Crack along floor Joist in crawl space. Another similar on the same joist further down. Major issue or simple fix? Suggestions?



enter image description here



enter image description here










share|improve this question









New contributor




Mike C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











Crack along floor Joist in crawl space. Another similar on the same joist further down. Major issue or simple fix? Suggestions?



enter image description here



enter image description here







repair wood basement flooring






share|improve this question









New contributor




Mike C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




Mike C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 2 days ago









isherwood

43.3k453108




43.3k453108






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asked 2 days ago









Mike C

212




212




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Mike C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor





Mike C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Mike C is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 1




    I doubt it's 2 inches thick unless your home is more than 80 years old. What am I seeing along the bottom if not a rabbet? Just a dirt line?
    – isherwood
    2 days ago








  • 1




    "It's the soup of the day." I realize the joist spans the house. How many feet and inches is that?
    – isherwood
    2 days ago






  • 2




    Also curious about the dirt line to the left...
    – Aloysius Defenestrate
    2 days ago






  • 2




    I didn't mean the pipe. There's a brownish horizontal line that corresponds with the crack. I initially saw that as a shadow in a rabbet. Now I see that it's just discoloration or maybe the crack itself.
    – isherwood
    2 days ago








  • 3




    If it's sagging you can just use a jack with a post to carefully lift the joist back to level (make a T-bar to cross several joists and lift until they come to the same plane). You can then sister a joist to one or both sides - drill and lag bolt with big washers and construction adhesive. Job done. From the pictures it doesn't look worth the effort, to be honest.
    – J...
    2 days ago
















  • 1




    I doubt it's 2 inches thick unless your home is more than 80 years old. What am I seeing along the bottom if not a rabbet? Just a dirt line?
    – isherwood
    2 days ago








  • 1




    "It's the soup of the day." I realize the joist spans the house. How many feet and inches is that?
    – isherwood
    2 days ago






  • 2




    Also curious about the dirt line to the left...
    – Aloysius Defenestrate
    2 days ago






  • 2




    I didn't mean the pipe. There's a brownish horizontal line that corresponds with the crack. I initially saw that as a shadow in a rabbet. Now I see that it's just discoloration or maybe the crack itself.
    – isherwood
    2 days ago








  • 3




    If it's sagging you can just use a jack with a post to carefully lift the joist back to level (make a T-bar to cross several joists and lift until they come to the same plane). You can then sister a joist to one or both sides - drill and lag bolt with big washers and construction adhesive. Job done. From the pictures it doesn't look worth the effort, to be honest.
    – J...
    2 days ago










1




1




I doubt it's 2 inches thick unless your home is more than 80 years old. What am I seeing along the bottom if not a rabbet? Just a dirt line?
– isherwood
2 days ago






I doubt it's 2 inches thick unless your home is more than 80 years old. What am I seeing along the bottom if not a rabbet? Just a dirt line?
– isherwood
2 days ago






1




1




"It's the soup of the day." I realize the joist spans the house. How many feet and inches is that?
– isherwood
2 days ago




"It's the soup of the day." I realize the joist spans the house. How many feet and inches is that?
– isherwood
2 days ago




2




2




Also curious about the dirt line to the left...
– Aloysius Defenestrate
2 days ago




Also curious about the dirt line to the left...
– Aloysius Defenestrate
2 days ago




2




2




I didn't mean the pipe. There's a brownish horizontal line that corresponds with the crack. I initially saw that as a shadow in a rabbet. Now I see that it's just discoloration or maybe the crack itself.
– isherwood
2 days ago






I didn't mean the pipe. There's a brownish horizontal line that corresponds with the crack. I initially saw that as a shadow in a rabbet. Now I see that it's just discoloration or maybe the crack itself.
– isherwood
2 days ago






3




3




If it's sagging you can just use a jack with a post to carefully lift the joist back to level (make a T-bar to cross several joists and lift until they come to the same plane). You can then sister a joist to one or both sides - drill and lag bolt with big washers and construction adhesive. Job done. From the pictures it doesn't look worth the effort, to be honest.
– J...
2 days ago






If it's sagging you can just use a jack with a post to carefully lift the joist back to level (make a T-bar to cross several joists and lift until they come to the same plane). You can then sister a joist to one or both sides - drill and lag bolt with big washers and construction adhesive. Job done. From the pictures it doesn't look worth the effort, to be honest.
– J...
2 days ago












2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
6
down vote













tl;dr It's probably just a localized weakness and not a serious problem.



I suspect that the joist cracked due to 1) the off-color streak we see, which may be heartwood, and 2) the knot. Both are very weak points in the wood that wouldn't normally be a problem, but their unfortunate proximity combined to dramatically weaken the wood.



The outstanding question is whether there's undue stress on that particular joist, causing sag and severe tension on the bottom edge. We can't say much about that through this little hole in the internet.






share|improve this answer

















  • 1




    Thanks for feedback! Appreciate it. I will have my handyman check it out next time as well. Just moved into older house so checking off some things I see. We had water in crawl space (same area) this week due to heavy rain. Not standing but just wanted to make sure structure is sound.
    – Mike C
    2 days ago


















up vote
0
down vote













I’m always surprised how people can look at a structural failure and determine that it’s “not a serious problem.” I have to calculate the load to determine if it’s serious. YOU HAVE A FAILURE. Do not ignore it.



A 12’ span is not extreme, but those joist seem extra large for normal construction. If they’re more than 2x12 at 16” o.c., then the designer was trying to do something special.



Is there something special above those joist: like a hot tub, waterbed, etc.? Make sure you follow through and have it checked out. At a minimum I’d fix the support for the pipe. That sagging could put stress on other joints.






share|improve this answer





















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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    6
    down vote













    tl;dr It's probably just a localized weakness and not a serious problem.



    I suspect that the joist cracked due to 1) the off-color streak we see, which may be heartwood, and 2) the knot. Both are very weak points in the wood that wouldn't normally be a problem, but their unfortunate proximity combined to dramatically weaken the wood.



    The outstanding question is whether there's undue stress on that particular joist, causing sag and severe tension on the bottom edge. We can't say much about that through this little hole in the internet.






    share|improve this answer

















    • 1




      Thanks for feedback! Appreciate it. I will have my handyman check it out next time as well. Just moved into older house so checking off some things I see. We had water in crawl space (same area) this week due to heavy rain. Not standing but just wanted to make sure structure is sound.
      – Mike C
      2 days ago















    up vote
    6
    down vote













    tl;dr It's probably just a localized weakness and not a serious problem.



    I suspect that the joist cracked due to 1) the off-color streak we see, which may be heartwood, and 2) the knot. Both are very weak points in the wood that wouldn't normally be a problem, but their unfortunate proximity combined to dramatically weaken the wood.



    The outstanding question is whether there's undue stress on that particular joist, causing sag and severe tension on the bottom edge. We can't say much about that through this little hole in the internet.






    share|improve this answer

















    • 1




      Thanks for feedback! Appreciate it. I will have my handyman check it out next time as well. Just moved into older house so checking off some things I see. We had water in crawl space (same area) this week due to heavy rain. Not standing but just wanted to make sure structure is sound.
      – Mike C
      2 days ago













    up vote
    6
    down vote










    up vote
    6
    down vote









    tl;dr It's probably just a localized weakness and not a serious problem.



    I suspect that the joist cracked due to 1) the off-color streak we see, which may be heartwood, and 2) the knot. Both are very weak points in the wood that wouldn't normally be a problem, but their unfortunate proximity combined to dramatically weaken the wood.



    The outstanding question is whether there's undue stress on that particular joist, causing sag and severe tension on the bottom edge. We can't say much about that through this little hole in the internet.






    share|improve this answer












    tl;dr It's probably just a localized weakness and not a serious problem.



    I suspect that the joist cracked due to 1) the off-color streak we see, which may be heartwood, and 2) the knot. Both are very weak points in the wood that wouldn't normally be a problem, but their unfortunate proximity combined to dramatically weaken the wood.



    The outstanding question is whether there's undue stress on that particular joist, causing sag and severe tension on the bottom edge. We can't say much about that through this little hole in the internet.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 2 days ago









    isherwood

    43.3k453108




    43.3k453108








    • 1




      Thanks for feedback! Appreciate it. I will have my handyman check it out next time as well. Just moved into older house so checking off some things I see. We had water in crawl space (same area) this week due to heavy rain. Not standing but just wanted to make sure structure is sound.
      – Mike C
      2 days ago














    • 1




      Thanks for feedback! Appreciate it. I will have my handyman check it out next time as well. Just moved into older house so checking off some things I see. We had water in crawl space (same area) this week due to heavy rain. Not standing but just wanted to make sure structure is sound.
      – Mike C
      2 days ago








    1




    1




    Thanks for feedback! Appreciate it. I will have my handyman check it out next time as well. Just moved into older house so checking off some things I see. We had water in crawl space (same area) this week due to heavy rain. Not standing but just wanted to make sure structure is sound.
    – Mike C
    2 days ago




    Thanks for feedback! Appreciate it. I will have my handyman check it out next time as well. Just moved into older house so checking off some things I see. We had water in crawl space (same area) this week due to heavy rain. Not standing but just wanted to make sure structure is sound.
    – Mike C
    2 days ago












    up vote
    0
    down vote













    I’m always surprised how people can look at a structural failure and determine that it’s “not a serious problem.” I have to calculate the load to determine if it’s serious. YOU HAVE A FAILURE. Do not ignore it.



    A 12’ span is not extreme, but those joist seem extra large for normal construction. If they’re more than 2x12 at 16” o.c., then the designer was trying to do something special.



    Is there something special above those joist: like a hot tub, waterbed, etc.? Make sure you follow through and have it checked out. At a minimum I’d fix the support for the pipe. That sagging could put stress on other joints.






    share|improve this answer

























      up vote
      0
      down vote













      I’m always surprised how people can look at a structural failure and determine that it’s “not a serious problem.” I have to calculate the load to determine if it’s serious. YOU HAVE A FAILURE. Do not ignore it.



      A 12’ span is not extreme, but those joist seem extra large for normal construction. If they’re more than 2x12 at 16” o.c., then the designer was trying to do something special.



      Is there something special above those joist: like a hot tub, waterbed, etc.? Make sure you follow through and have it checked out. At a minimum I’d fix the support for the pipe. That sagging could put stress on other joints.






      share|improve this answer























        up vote
        0
        down vote










        up vote
        0
        down vote









        I’m always surprised how people can look at a structural failure and determine that it’s “not a serious problem.” I have to calculate the load to determine if it’s serious. YOU HAVE A FAILURE. Do not ignore it.



        A 12’ span is not extreme, but those joist seem extra large for normal construction. If they’re more than 2x12 at 16” o.c., then the designer was trying to do something special.



        Is there something special above those joist: like a hot tub, waterbed, etc.? Make sure you follow through and have it checked out. At a minimum I’d fix the support for the pipe. That sagging could put stress on other joints.






        share|improve this answer












        I’m always surprised how people can look at a structural failure and determine that it’s “not a serious problem.” I have to calculate the load to determine if it’s serious. YOU HAVE A FAILURE. Do not ignore it.



        A 12’ span is not extreme, but those joist seem extra large for normal construction. If they’re more than 2x12 at 16” o.c., then the designer was trying to do something special.



        Is there something special above those joist: like a hot tub, waterbed, etc.? Make sure you follow through and have it checked out. At a minimum I’d fix the support for the pipe. That sagging could put stress on other joints.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 14 hours ago









        Lee Sam

        8,5503613




        8,5503613






















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