Expert: Michael Hughes - 2/12/2008

Question
Our new construction home has a dip in the floor in my sons room and the family room below. This is a two story home. My sons room is on second story.  Family room on main level.  The builder pulled back the carpet and pad and opened up the oxboard.  There seems to be an out of spec truss that is lower than the rest of the trusses.  About 1/2 inch.  That doesn't account for all the 1 inch gap over a two foot span.  The builder wants to renail the oxboard and poor floor leveler on it and then put carpet back down.  I don't feel this is the correct way to fix it and frankly don't trust them.  The main floor is covered with hardwood flooring and they are reluctant to tear it up to see the problem.  They say the two floors are not related, however the spots are in the same area just floors apart.  They say they are two separate issues.  How do you fix this?

Answer
Jessica,
I am not sure I understand the problem completely but that is to be expected as without seeing the problem it is hard to relate. I can tell you that pouring floor leveler on the area is NOT the correct solution. This would be a temporary fix as far as I am concerned. I would contact the local building inspection dept and ask them to take a look. There are many reasons for this condition to exist but the fact that they occur on both floors in the same area causes concern.
I realize I have not given you any fixes but the issue should be examined by a professional before any decisions on the repair are executed.