How To Fix Load Deflection In Wood Floor

This is the second of two articles on proper floor framing.

How to fix load deflection in wood floor. For new home builders a squeaky or bouncy floor is a sign of substandard or code minimum construction practices the effect of which can erode their reputation for delivering comfortable quality. For example the allowable deflection of a 12ft span floor joist with plaster l 360 is 0 4 12ft divided by 360. In canada the building code includes limits on floor vibration. Check out the previous episode where we discuss the plans for this kitchen.

If that same joist had gypsum ceiling l 240 the allowable deflection is 0 6. The ibs2000 load system allows joist spans in excess of the usual code spans. Codes don t regulate floor vibration. See the table below.

Got bounce appeared in the august 2012 issue of prosales and dealt with mitigating floor deflection in new home construction. The system allows an architect to specify the same joists as used on the rest of the floor and avoids a raised floor on part of the floor plan. Builders design for deflection only typically by holding deflection due to live load to a maximum of l 360 where l is the floor joist span or perhaps a more restrictive l 480. Because ceramic floor tile is rigid and unforgiving it needs a structurally sound immobile base.

The 2012 international building code ibc section 1604 3 requires floor members supporting dead and live loads to not exceed an l 240 deflection limit. All floors deflect or move to some extent but if. Note it gives the allowable deflection based on a fractional span quantity so a larger denominator will yield less deflection. Thre ways to fix a sagging or sloping floor.

How to fix floor deflection for ceramic tile. Relatively longer spans and higher loads have the potential to make differential deflection problems in floors more pronounced. Depending upon the conditions it is possible to strengthen or repair existing framing members such as floor joists or roof rafters by adding reinforcing material sandwiching the member on either side with plywood is sometimes worthwhile but the plywood must be installed correctly for greatest strength.