A sagging floor in a new home can be a discouraging discovery. Sagging may be due to damaged wood, a sinking foundation or moisture damage to the joists. Sometimes, excessive weight can cause sill plates to break. You can raise the floor with a hydraulic jack. This is a big job that may take more than one day. It is a good idea to have your foundation checked by a professional before attempting this repair. Jacking the floor up will not help if your foundation is crumbling.
- Rafter ties (2)
- 4-by-6 wooden beam
- Large wooden column
- Saw
- Screws
- Drill
- Masonry screws
- 1/4-inch steel plate
- Hydraulic jacks
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Instructions
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1
Attach two rafter ties to the top of a 4-by-6 wooden beam, long enough to span the entire floor length from underneath, with screws.
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2
Fix the rafter ties to two strong joints on the underside of the floor.
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3
Place a large wooden column directly underneath the beam attached to the joists. Secure it to the floor with masonry screws.
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4
Position a 1/4-inch steel plate onto the large wooden column. Place the feet of a set of hydraulic jacks onto the metal plate.
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5
Raise the jacks up to the wooden beam. Make sure the jacks are evenly spaced along the beam.
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6
Lift the jacks only an 1/8-inch per day to prevent cracking or buckling of the floor.