Crawl space joist recommendation
#1
03-26-16, 01:06 PM
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Crawl space joist recommendation
Currently having a contractor friend help with fix up a Crawl space moisture issue. The exterior of the foundation work was completed and the contractor is saying that the existing beams in the crawl space don't have to be replaced and can be salvaged with a structural epoxy. The beams which were completely deteriorated were removed and replaced but there are 3 or so beams left which he says don't have to be replaced as the source of the problem on the outside has been fixed.
Please see the attached image. what are your thoughts? Will putty do or a full replacement is a must.
Please see the attached image. what are your thoughts? Will putty do or a full replacement is a must.
#2
03-26-16, 01:41 PM
Group Moderator
It's hard to tell from a picture just how bad the damage is. IMO, any putty or epoxy is there just for looks. The term structural epoxy is for the most part a misnomer. If you think of the rot as a "notch" that potentially can weaken or compromise your joists (joists... not beams), maybe you can determine how bad the rot is in terms of an established code. Does the rot extend up so as to be more than 1/6 the width of the joist (or 1/4 at ends without compromising the bearing surface)? Or if the rot extends away from the exterior wall, is it limited to the outer 1/3 of the total span? Is the bearing surface intact?
I hope they didn't encase non-pressure treated wood in concrete as part of the "solution".
I hope they didn't encase non-pressure treated wood in concrete as part of the "solution".
#3
03-26-16, 02:09 PM
Member
Guessing you mean floor joist not beams, there's no beam in that picture that I can see.
Something just does not look right about that whole area in the picture.
Why is there a tapered shim?
What's up with the OSB between the joist?
Where's the pressure treated foundation plate?
Something just does not look right about that whole area in the picture.
Why is there a tapered shim?
What's up with the OSB between the joist?
Where's the pressure treated foundation plate?
#4
03-26-16, 02:10 PM
Group Moderator
Just an additional thought... there is such a thing as a structural epoxy repair, but I am just guessing that it is not the type of epoxy this guy is suggesting, nor does he likely have an engineer on site to verify and sign off on the work. If you read this article, it may give you an idea on the sort of epoxy injection and repair that can be done. REPAIR OF TIMBER FRAMING
I am guessing the sort of epoxy your guy would plan on using is more like the kind of thing you would buy in a big box store and use to make a "structural" repair on a flower pot, rotten window sill, or a handrail. Something to make it look pretty so it can be painted.
I am guessing the sort of epoxy your guy would plan on using is more like the kind of thing you would buy in a big box store and use to make a "structural" repair on a flower pot, rotten window sill, or a handrail. Something to make it look pretty so it can be painted.
