Software
Houzz Logo Print
quequeg7

Need Help repairing Rotten Floor Joist

9 years ago



I noticed that one of the beams/joists is rotted where it sits on the
sill plate. The other two joist on either side are solid. What is the
best way to repair this? The length from sill plate to center beam is
about 12 ft.

If I sister it how far back should I run the sister? I know 12 ft is
ideal but can I get away with say 6 ft and several bolts? Also should I
completely cut out the rotted end, chip away at the rot with a claw or
maybe use some wood hardening agent to solidify whats left.

The first two pictures are from left side, then the middle and the rest
are from the right side. The white fungus stuff is the same as was on
the rest of the wall components from the leaking sill.

Comments (5)

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    My recommendation would be to bolt the new framing lumber that is a wide as the existing beam so that it rests on the existing plate and use 6' material. Make sure the new materials are able to have a surface on the existing beam that is solid enough to bolt thru. I recommend using Fasten Ledgerlok. You can get them from Home depot .

    quequeg7 thanked Beck Renovate and Remodel
  • 9 years ago

    Is there a reason you don't want to do the whole 12 feet? It looks like it's currently open to the outside, so getting that length into the basement shouldn't be hard.

    Seems like the easiest and best option to me.

    quequeg7 thanked greg_2015
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    If you can get the whole length in even better. I was not sure if the access would allow it.

    quequeg7 thanked Beck Renovate and Remodel
  • 9 years ago

    If one must ask how a job like this should be done,it's best they hire a pro. The beam look's like it might be rough hewn Bois-D-Arc. If that's true,there's no need for replacement,it will last another 100 years. If rot go's all the way through,I'm not sure new material should be in contact with rot. Unless floor can be jacked up and held during repair, I would consider A. Installing another beam parallel and a few inches to the side. B Using 1/2" narrower laminated beam to ease getting into position and C. Shimming 1/2" between beam and plate.

    quequeg7 thanked klem1
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks for all the tips. Finished the job today. For anyone else who may need to do this, this is how I did it. I cut off the rotted part and cleaned off the old board with tor-bor and let it dry. I used an 8x14 (cut to size) and sistered it to the old board with 8 x 1/2" bolts, construction adhesive and nails. Key was to jack up the new board at the end nearest the center beam so it would fit tight against the sub floor and even with the old joist.

    I would have preferred to run the new joist across the center beam but getting it on the beam was too much work as it was not an easy fit.