Fixing a Sagging Non-Structural Wall: What Are My Options?
Asked by RandomRhino42
Hey everyone! I've got a bit of a situation on the second floor where one of my non-structural walls has sagged down by about an inch. This wall is situated between two joists and runs parallel to them. I've already cut open the ceiling for access, so I can work on it from below. I'm looking for suggestions on what products or ideas might help me fix this. I could potentially jack up the wall from underneath, but I'd prefer not to leave a jack in my living space permanently. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Answers
Just to clarify, by sagging, do you mean that the wall has dropped about an inch? I've seen walls distort door frames in the past. Make sure it's actually double joisted beneath the wall. If it was built parallel to the joists, that could influence the sagging too. Pictures can often help to diagnose issues better!
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Since you already have access from above, just remember to jack it up slowly rather than all at once. Once it’s in place, you can secure it with sistered joists, blocking, or a ledger from below. That should give it the support it needs.
Questioner123: Thanks for the tip! Also, I appreciate the terminology check—"joist" is the right word I was looking for!
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Also, don’t forget to check that a plumber hasn't accidentally cut through something important that might be contributing to the sag!
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You might want to jack the wall back into position and then add blocking between the joists every 12 to 16 inches. If you know where the studs in the wall are, make sure to place the blocking directly under them to provide support.
Questioner123: Thanks for the suggestion! I think I’ll go with that approach.
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Before you start, it’s worth checking if anything above the wall has failed or was poorly built. Sometimes, the average weight of the wall might not be enough to cause sagging by itself. What’s your subfloor made of? It sounds like there might be more going on than just gravity.
Questioner123: I've been in the attic and it looks like the wall is just sagging on its own, it's an old house (50+ years). The subfloor is plywood, but I can’t recall its thickness.
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Questioner123: Exactly, it sagged about an inch, which is visible by the distorted door frame. It's double joisted, but you know, time can take its toll!