The Problem: Severe Wood Rot and Failing Supports
Project Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Service Provided: Foundation Repair & Structural Wood Replacement
During our inspection of this crawl space in Chapel Hill, we found serious structural damage. Long-term moisture issues had caused the wood framing under the home to fail, leading to noticeable problems in the living areas above.
The specific structural issues included:
- Severe Wood Rot: We found a completely rotted subfloor directly under the kitchen. Additionally, a 12-foot section of the “band joist” (the main outer frame of the home’s flooring system) was severely damaged by rot and could no longer support the house.
- Failing Support Jacks: The previous homeowner had installed temporary support jacks to try and stop the floors from sagging. However, these jacks were placed on wooden blocks that sat directly on the dirt. This provided zero stability and created a direct path for termites to access the wood.
- Sagging Floors: Because the band joist was rotting and the supports were failing, the kitchen floor above was actively sinking.
The Solution: : Structural Wood Rebuilding
To restore the strength of the home, we removed the damaged materials and installed new, pressure-treated lumber.
Here is how we rebuilt the floor system:
Band Joist Replacement: We safely supported the weight of the kitchen and cut out the damaged 12-foot section of the band joist. We replaced this missing section with new, sound lumber, securing the outer frame of the house.
Joist Sistering: We repaired the floor framing under the kitchen by “sistering” 9 separate floor joists. We attached new, pressure-treated lumber directly alongside the weakened joists to restore their full load-bearing strength.
Support Removal: We removed the improper support jacks and wooden blocks from the dirt to eliminate the structural liability and termite risk.
The Result: A Strong, Stable Floor System
By cutting out the rotted timber and replacing it with pressure-treated lumber, we safely transferred the weight of the kitchen to new materials. The 12-foot band joist replacement and the 9 sistered floor joists successfully restored the strength of the floor. The home is now structurally sound and the kitchen floor is fully supported.
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1Loans provided by EnerBank USA, Member FDIC, (1245 Brickyard Rd., Suite 600, Salt Lake City, UT 84106) on approved credit, for a limited time. Repayment terms vary from 24 to 132 months. Interest waived if repaid in 365 days. 17.99% fixed APR, effective as of November 1, 2020, subject to change. Interest starts accruing when the loan closes.
2Loans provided by EnerBank USA, Member FDIC, (1245 Brickyard Rd., Suite 600, Salt Lake City, UT 84106) on approved credit, for a limited time. Repayment term is 60 months. 4.99% fixed APR. Minimum loan amounts apply. The first monthly payment will be due 30 days after the loan closes.