FLOOR REPAIRS OF HOME 3

Cures for floor trouble of this nature follow these steps:
1. Where the joists have warped, shrunk or sagged but remain sound, hardwood wedges may be driven between the subflooring and joists.They will push the lower areas upward to a level equal to the surrounding floor. They will also prevent further vibration where a loose for is responsible and they will cure squeaks as well.
2. Where bridging is lacking, cross bridging of 1-by-3" or 2-by-3" stock may be applied to add rigidity to joists. This will stabilize a shaky floor, add strength to a weak one.
3. If a girder unsupported in the middle has sagged, it much be propped up. Since the basement floor will not carry such a load, a new footing must be placed beneath the support. A hole is dug from 18 to 24 " deep and from 18 to 24" square. Fill it with concrete and, after it has set, erect a 4-by-4" or 6-by-6" post on it and wedge it tightly under the girder. In place of such a timber, an iron column may be used. For this purpose, special jacks are employed to push the girder back to level and the column is placed in position; then the jacks are removed.
4. If the girder is already supported but footings have crumbled, new footings must be made. Support the girder on temporary beams, remove and replace the old footings and erect a new supporting column of timber; then remove the temporary timber.
5. Where the foundation has crumbled under the ends of joists or girder, temporary timber are rested on planks on the cellar floor, wedged bereath  the floor support, and driven tight until the floors raised to the necessary level. Then the damaged foundation is cut out with hammer and cold chisel ( in the case of brick, concrete or stone) to such a point that new material may be inserted. Brick is suggested since it's the easiest to handle. The damaged foundation is cut back to accommodate units of brick that are cemented into place. When the mortar has dried thoroughly, the temporary supports can be removed and the joist or girder allowed to rest on the new base.
6. Where a girder on the joists rest on a wood sill support by the foundation, piles or posts, and the sill is damaged, replacement is necessary. there is only one solution-call your contractor. He will use some method of supporting the entire house during the time that it takes to replace this sill. Obviously, this is not your kind of work.
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