This, which started as simply tear down water damaged plaster and lath and replace with drywall has now morphed into replace all wiring, and possible joist repair.
The ceiling joists are full 1 3/4 x 5 3/4 and span 12′. There are 5 of them that rest in notches on the ledger board in the picture. I noticed that the top of the ledger board has rotated away from the studs, maybe 4-5/16″. The ledger appears to be cut-nailed to the studs.
Would it be a good idea to put a lag bolt through to each stud, at this point?
I also found a crack in bottom of a joist as seen in pic 3 (and just behind the yellow drop cord in pic 1). It’s about 3 feet away from the ledger. Can this be adequately strengthened with plywood/nails/glue?
Thanks.
Replies
Is there going to be a floor on the top of these joists?
As far as the ledger board, I would look at ledger lock screws or GRK structural screws. Much easier to drive. And yes, I would put one or two in at each stud. As far as the split joist, I would sister it on each side with conventional KD and screw them to the old joist with the structural screws.
If there is going to be a floor above the joists, than I would check with an engineer.
my $.02
I meditate, I burn candles, I drink green tea, and still I want to smack someone.
It will be just an attic with blown in cellulose. No floor or storage.
Thanks.
2 X 6, one foot OC is good for that span, joist hangers would now be required between those ceiling joists and the rim joist .. simpson will custom manufacture them on special order, not a big cost either, they do it all the time for old lumber, while your at it order a mending plate for the cracked one, looks like it's been that way forever ..
Edited 1/19/2009 12:27 pm ET by wane
Are the joist hangers now required because the 2x6's are notched to fit in the ledger board?Thanks.
that notch reduces the effective depth of the joist, the hanger is required because they have no ledger board, you have a rim joist .. joists have to be supported not just hung ..
I was able to get simpson joist hangers for rough cut lumber for a job last winter. I can't remember the simpson number, but our local lumber yard had them. The ones we used were for floor joists that were 2 inches (actual) wide.
I meditate, I burn candles, I drink green tea, and still I want to smack someone.
What Dan61 said. If it'll make you sleep easier, sister a joist on to the cracked one. No big deal, especially since the space above is not a floor.
I'd be shocked if you would be required to add hangers to that structure. There is no rim joist there -- just a ledger. Probably balloon framing. Forget the hangers.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Remove original joists. Lag original rim board to studs. Installl new wood with hangers. Drink beer.
Or, as one contractor advised on seeing the house my dad proposed to rehabilitate: Insure it, then burn it down.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
Put a lot of elmers glueall in that crack!
You can lag the ledger back,or just nail it. Sister a 2x6 to the cracked joist. Simpson has angles you can use for hangers. Nail into side of joist and face of ledger.This construction is fairly typical of homes built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Most of the time the ledger or ribbon is cut into the studs at the bottom of the joist. The joists are not notched or only a small notch that may vary in thickness. This was to accomadate a straight floor when the rough cut joists were hand sawn or sash sawn.Because the wall and ceiling finish was lath and horsehair plaster any small deviance made no difference.
You may need a strongback down the middle span if the joists have any sag .
mike