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marken
Citizen
Username: Marken
Post Number: 15
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 6:23 am: |     |
Having just pulled up the carpet to see the hardwood floors in our 1920s colonial we noticed a problem.
While the floors do have a good appearance, in one spot -- in only one room -- the floor gives way quite noticeably when we walk on it, you definitely feel it, and watching someone else walk on it you see it sag quite a bit. (Will he fall through? Did we buy the money pit?)
It certainly squeaks in & around that spot as well. The rest of the room and other rooms feel solid.
FYI: this "fun floor" is on the 2nd story and extends over an enclosed porch; and we're having our floors refinished soon.
I'm guessing a beam or joist has shrunk from age, but I'm no expert (but thanks to Google, I can sound informed)
Has anyone experienced something similar?
Can you recommend someone (maybe a structural engineer?) to evaluate what's going on, and how serious it is.
Thanks -- 1 and All. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3225
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 9:02 am: | |
Because your problem is on the second floor to correct the problem you are either going to have to go in through the ceiling below the problem area or by taking up the floor.
Since you are going to refinish the floors in the first place it probably makes sense to go in from the top. A decent flooring contractor can salvage most of the wood and relay it, stealing extra from a closet floor if needed.
How big is the area? Is it near the wall? I agree that the joist is damaged. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 169
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 11:41 am: | |
I had this happen to me in a relatively new home (just before SO) -- one joist shrank or warped and the creak and "wobbling" was noticable (it was in the hallway at the top of the stairs).
The builder came in, pulled up the carpet, took up the subfloor -- but since I was not there that day, can't say what exactly they did to fix it.
Was not a big job for the carpenters, was more of a job for the carpet people who had to restretch, reseam, etc. the flooring.
Yours will be more work with hardwood floors -- hopefully not much more!
Good luck --
Pete
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ReallyTrying
Citizen
Username: Reallytrying
Post Number: 108
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 3:27 pm: | |
Another floor question:
In our 83-y-o house, the previous owner pulled up eleven layers of linoleum (yep, that's what they said) in the kitchen, to reveal the original subfloor, which is made of beech (I think). It's a decent enough floor, but needs re-finishing. The big problem is that it squeaks horribly, esp. in humid weather. There are specific boards that I step over / avoid when I want to be quiet. Question: If we put a floor OVER the sub-floor, would it cure the squeaking? |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 174
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 4:04 pm: | |
Your floor squeeks because there is movement -- could be the floor boards, could be the joists.
If the floor is loose -- it can be nailed (or screwed) to the joists -- need to figure out how to hide the nailheads (putty?) or screw heads (plugs?).
If the joists are weak -- you can add new ones underneath (sister them to the old ones)-- if its the kitchen, then you probably have easy access from the basement.
Neither of these are very expensive to do -- and will make a difference.
Good luck -- enjoy your home!
Pete
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marken
Citizen
Username: Marken
Post Number: 19
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 6:15 pm: | |
An interim update on the original post for anyone w/similar problems.
1) The hardwood floor refinishers said "oohh, looks pretty bad". We have no subfloor on the 2nd floor. The boards are connected directly to the joist. They recommended against refinishing that room until the problem is resolved. We reluctantly agreed and will make the guest bedroom our temp home.
2) Everyone (the refinishers, the handyman, my home inspector) suggests we look at the floor from underneath ourselves -- then the problem should be obvious. Of course, that means tearing out at least two ceilings plus the trim & some electrical. Ok, I need a taller ladder, but Ok.
3) Everyone also says call a general contractor (GC) to have them inspect it, that will happen in early August. But for now, here are the 5 GC recommendations I received, in case you need one:
Classic Construction: 973-762-5604
Unlimited Finishing Touches: 973-762-2400
One Call home repair: 973-701-7707
Ken Kozub: 973-263-8340
Bruen Custom Building: 973-267-5100
A specific suggestion was made to jack up the sagging floor before repairing it, otherwise it might be fixed, but the sag will be permanent.
I'll keep you posted .... |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 178
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 9:49 am: | |
Marken --
If there is no subfloor -- then what do you have to lose by pulling up at least part of the floor (from above) to see what's going on?
At best -- you'll see the problem and be able to fix (maybe most of it) from above.
At worst -- you may have to also go in from below -- but since you have no subfloor -- either you'll likely install a new one on top of what you have, or pull up the current floor anyway.
Good luck!
Pete |
marken
Citizen
Username: Marken
Post Number: 21
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 12:15 am: | |
Pete -
U ask an obvious question .... if there is a way to preserve the original planks (the wood is 80 yrs old and is some rare type of fir -- difficult to match to currently avail woods) then maybe we should consider pulling some up -- certainly less work. The floor guys should be around for a few more days ... I'll see if this can be done w/o sacrificing the floor.
Thanks. |
marken
Citizen
Username: Marken
Post Number: 29
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 1:07 pm: | |
Pete --
The floor guys -- who BTW did a fantastic job refinishing 5 rooms & 2 staircases -- believe that the original floor planks would be weakened and/or destroyed (specifically the tongue part of the tongue & groove) if we took up the floor.
Also, if we replace any floorboards, they are of non-standard thickness and width, meaning a custom cut for each board $$$$$. All of which leads me to believe that tearing out the ceiling below (in a room that we plan to redo eventually anyway) is the better choice.
Now, where did I put that extra $2000 for this unexpected home repair ....... ???
... well with the new Bush tax cut, if I can find 5 children -- I'm there!
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Iaowks Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 375
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 5:29 pm: | |
Which floor guys did you use?
Tom Reingold
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marken
Citizen
Username: Marken
Post Number: 30
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 7:49 am: | |
Tom --
We used Distinctive Flooring -- 973-663-6979. I think I found the name in the MOL attic.
They were great all around -- on time, on budget, good to work with, showed concern for the appearance & integrity of the floor. They're definitely coming back to finish the bedroom once the joist problem is resolved.
At some point I'll post the before & after pictures. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 204
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 9:05 am: | |
Great news on your floors! Thanks for the update. (and another good recommendation!)/Pete |
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