I own a 135-year-old house, and I've noticed that the upstairs floor is sagging a bit. I'm thinking about pulling up the flooring and sistering the joists to reinforce it. However, I don't want to completely eliminate the sag because that would mean a lot more work, especially since the ceiling on the first floor was recently repaired to fix cracks caused by the sag. Once the floor is replaced, I'd feel more confident about its strength and prevent further sagging. I'd love to hear your thoughts or advice on how to handle this situation!
3 Answers
Before diving into repairs, it's important to pinpoint what’s causing the sagging. It might just be old settling, but it could also hint at issues with load-bearing walls or the foundation. If those factors are not a concern, then you're clear to proceed. Just keep in mind that even if you sister the joists from the top, you might still end up with drywall cracks below due to the stress. You could consider going in from the bottom to manage the sag and replace the drywall afterward, especially since there are rental lifts that can help with ceiling drywalling.
Honestly, I’d recommend getting a structural engineer to take a look at the place first. Getting a professional builder involved for repairs is key—they’ll handle the permits and inspections which will save you headaches down the line.
Good idea! I have a contractor coming next week, and I’m researching my options now, especially since older homes come with unique challenges.
We've had great success with sistering joists from the ceiling when restoring old buildings! Since the plaster will likely need work anyway, make sure to use strong LVL beams for sistering. It’ll allow you to level things out effectively depending on how much sagging you’re comfortable addressing.
Thanks for the insight! I'm trying to balance fixing the sag without causing too much disruption. I might go that route to reinforce it!
Sounds like a solid plan! I’ve dealt with similar issues, and it’s tough to avoid drywall work altogether. It might be better to address both the joists and the ceiling at the same time.