Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 1/29/2011

Question
I have a house that has two cracked joist (because they were notched)and the floor is sunk above them. I was wondering if the floor jacks they sell at home improvement stores and sistering the joist is the best way to go

Answer
Hi Joe, that would be a good way to go.  If you can get a footing pad under each jack and a beam across underneath the break in the broken joists then you can jack up and support the broken joists without having to sister another joist alongside.  If you do sister a joist alongside your new patch should extend at least four feet past the break each way and be glued with construction adhesive and nailed or screwed in a four inch grid pattern throughout the repair. A ten ton hydraulic jack will easily push the joist into place prior to the repair or reshoring. I hope this information helps please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com