So i’m working my way round the new ‘old’ house and have a slight problem with the floor joists downstairs.

I removed a (decorative) brick fireplace and it looks like the support pillars under the floor joists have dropped a little at some point so now there is about 1/2 inch of bounce – i guess the weight of the fireplace was hiding this and they have risen up now it’s gone.

I am thinking it will be fine to just jack up the joists (assuming they are in good nick) and add a wedge on top of the original brick pillars to remove the gap.

I am hoping this has happened over a long period of time (house is 1930) in which case further movement should be mininal….
Or should i call in the professionals for a more detailed survey / investigation of the problem!?

Would appreciate any suggestions?

strip floor boards, investigate whats going wrong- could be rotten timbers, warped over time or the supporting wall could have subsided. Carry out remedial works as required

Don’t call professionals, they will recommend all kinds of solutions. Follow your instincts.

Thanks…

I have had a good look under the boards & joists. All seem to be fairly sound, no rot or anything like that.

Just not sitting firmly on the the supports. An eyeball investigation suggests that the supporting wall has dropped a wee bit.

It only affects the end support row, all others are sound.

But i want a floor that doesnt move so much.

if its not damp or rotten

just resupport it .

if i stacked a heap of bricks on top of you for 80 years and then removed them i doubt you would return to the same height either !

Have you experienced bouncey floor boards before?
Nothing to be embarrassed about.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2406651/Healthy-obesity-exists-say-scientists-physical-fitness-important-BMI.html

I’m just big boned

I had a bit of this in a property I renovated a few years ago.

Basically the extension had moved a little and allowed some slack in the joists. After checking online I fixed it by jacking up the joists with an acro-prop and then packed the bottom with slate, then dropped the joists back down.

It has been fine for 5 years so far since, with no further movement.

As others say if you think there is rot then poke around, if not slate is your answer!

Cheers ali, a friend (who built his own extension) had a look and also suggested this.

I think i will get me some slate.

What Slate For Joists Over Chalky Soil thread to start soon… 🙄

Welsh!

😆

Don’t call professionals, they will recommend all kinds of solutions. Follow your instincts.

Spat tea.

…actually – where is the bet place to get slate!?

…actually – where is the bet place to get slate!?

Wales?

Next doors roof?

Wales, thanks, I will keep an eye out for any Bales

 I will keep an eye out for any Bales

I would, you’d make about 70mil profit on each one.

You might want to consider why the wall has sunk. This is definitely a bigger issue than the bouncy joists which are a result of a bigger underlying problem from what you describe.
There could be a broken drain or some other reason there is subsidence. Either way jacking up and packing the joists is not a permanent solution unless you can confirm the subsidence has halted or been resolved.