Home Improvement

Ask a Home Improvement Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

Have your own Home Improvement question?

Home Improvement Experts are Online Now

characters left:

Not a Home Improvement Question?

Question

I have a 50+ year old 2 story concrete block cottage. The problem is the floor joists for the second floor have been damaged by powder post beetles and they and most of the flooring above need replacing. The joist appear to be sandwiched or inserted in between blocks. How do I go about removing and replacing joists that are secured in this manner?

Submitted: 15 days and 20 hours ago.

Category: Home Improvement

Value: $15

Status: CLOSED

Posted by Rick 15 days and 20 hours ago.

Answer

Hi XXXXXXXXXXX

If there is no partion supporting the floor joist then your only option is to cut the joists one at a time and remove them. The problem is how do you replace them since there is no way to get the new joist back into the same hole in the block wall. I'm assuming you aren't going to demolish the finished space above or below the floor. Probably your only option would be to construct either a supporting partition under the joists at each end or install a supporting beam and posts at each end of the joists.

15 days and 19 hours ago.

Reply

Would it be possible to construct a temp support wall, cut all of the joists on one end and put up a ledger using joist hangers, with the other end inserted into the now vacant hole. Also, what type of fasteners should I install the ledger with. I do not want to go all of the way thru the block since I have siding on the outside.

Accepted Answer

I wouldn't rely on a ledger supported by shields in a block wall to support a floor. You really need a beam with supporting posts. You could dress up the beam so it goes with the room's finish trim.

If you want to have a go at the ledger you would need to use shields

View Full Image

with at least 3/8" lags. The shields should be into the ribs of the block. I wouldn't go much bigger than 3/8 since the ribs aren't much bigger than 1" thick. You should use as many as 2 shields for every joist on each ledger.

Again, the ledger would not be my recommendation.

Accepts:
Expert:	Rick
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	11/5/2009

General C&ontractor

Licensed Construction Supervisor & Remodeling Contractor 35+ years experience

15 days and 19 hours ago.

Reply

Thank you for your help. Very good advice. Had not thought of hiding support posts in room decor.

Posted by Rick 15 days and 19 hours ago.

Answer

Thanks for using Just Answer

Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.

Home Improvement

Have your own Home Improvement question?

Related Home-garden Topics:

Question

Answer

Reply

Accepted Answer

Reply

Thank you for your help. Very good advice. Had not thought of hiding support posts in room decor.

Answer

Thanks for using Just Answer

Related Home Improvement Questions