Hey guys
I'm needing a bit of advice,
As you can see in the pictures below the beam which the joists sit on has rotted and collapsed at one end. The beam is a pretty big 8x4 piece of wood and 4.5m long.
The cost of a new beam is only £60 so initally planned to just replace. However the problem is that I'm not going to be able to manoeuvre the new beam into the room.
Does anyone have any ideas of what I could do?
or would it be wise/ok to chop the rotten end off 2ft (where the Spirit level is) and attach a new piece by sandwiching it with some 8x2 timber and M12 threaded rod, big washers and nuts.
Something like this drawing on a bigger and heftier scale
any help would be greatly received!
[img] http://www.diynot.com/diy/media/untitled.72955/full?d=1391725430 [/img]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3862/32010724293_49e6dcfb3e_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3862/32010724293_49e6dcfb3e_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/QLFk6x ]20170210_165329[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/87572378@N00/ ]colinfan[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2492/32010738203_29b2e22c12_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2492/32010738203_29b2e22c12_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/QLFpen ]20170210_165350[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/87572378@N00/ ]colinfan[/url], on Flickr
If you wanted to plate over a butt join, as in your sketch, it would be better to use metal for the plates instead of wood. If you can't get steel/stainless steel flat or plate locally then metals4u or ebay would have short lengths delivered.
Better to cut the timbers at an angle, as in a scarph instead of a butt joint, and treat the existing wood with rot treatment and wood hardener if needed..
Another option would be to cut the existing timber into either a lap joint or a tongue. Then make the new part from either 2 or 3 pieces of timber. Foaming PU glue, Everbuild Lumberjack or similar, and stud/bolt through.
Not sure if either of these options would satisfy a building inspection.
Is it only rotten at the bottom of the beam or all way to the top? If the top 1/3 is sound I'd be inclined to cut out the rot and scarf some fresh timber in at the bottom. Support either side with plates or timber.
and some dog's teeth between the beam and ties.
you can never over engineer! 😀
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Normal procedure is to prop joist up, cut joist back about a metre, stick in a new piece (2 8x2s nailed together if you can't get an 8x4)then bolt an 8x2 to the side like you suggest with square steel washers and serrated toothed connecting washers (should overlap the join by at least a couple of feet at either side). wrap new joist ends in dpc before sticking into the brickwork.
It's rotten pretty much all the way up unfortunately.
I'll look into scarph joints.
those serrated tooth things look great!
would bolting 2 8x2s together to make a 8x4 be alright?
thanks for all the replies!
would bolting 2 8x2s together to make a 8x4 be alright?
be fine.
By an 8x2, easier and cheaper to get than 8x4. Cut it into 4 pieces. Use the lot. What you going to do with leftovers? 😉 2 in the middle scarfed to the good wood, two for the outside bolted through for the ties. plenty of overlap and job's jobbed.
Also would you cement the new bit of joist in or just leave it sat on/in the brickwork?
Just to say I think the joist rotted because of a leaking radiator directly above. The house is new to me eeek!
Feel slightly better abouf my woodworm now.
My beams are packed up with old slate.
after damp proofing it I might sit it on a piece of slate if I had one lying around. If not a dab of muck would be fine.
Could probably be just as quick to remove the joists and replace it in two pieces and supported on some concrete blocks built of the solum in the middle if possible and wrap the ends in dpc .
😀Feel slightly better about my woodworm now.
thanks for the help everyone, I'm having to rip the whole ground floor up as it's all knackered. Wishful thinking but I was only expecting to replace wall plates and joists.
I'm sure there's more fun and games lurking under there!
I'm sure there's more fun and games lurking under there!
While you're at that stage consider insulating pipes, insulating under floors, cleaning airbricks and running any additional services.
I think the joist rotted because of a leaking radiator directly above
Check outside too, either soil/patio levels or drainage problems could be causing damp in the wall
While you're at that stage consider insulating pipes, insulating under floors, cleaning airbricks and running any additional services.
All services are being done as well, electrics being replaced and plumbing runs need to be changed.
But yeah didn't think about insulating the floor that's a good shout!
you can never over engineer!
Remind me to start a "Check Out My Shed" thread sometime this year.
You'll probably love the "engineering"...