Foundation Repair Photo Album: SmartJack Stabilizes Sagging Floor in Jacksonville, FL
A customer contacted our office concerned about their sagging floor above the crawl space. Our Design Specialist assessed the area and found that the crawl space was open, allowing moisture to intrude and cause the floors to sag. To address this issue, we used our SmartJack System. The SmartJack System consists of steel support posts that are installed in the crawl space to provide additional support to the floor joists. These posts are adjustable, allowing us to lift and level the sagging floors. By installing the SmartJack System, we were able to stabilize the floors and prevent further sagging, ensuring a safe and level surface for the customer.
SmartJacks with Support Beam
Using a supplemental beam with SmartJacks provides additional support and stability to the structure. The supplemental beam helps distribute the weight more evenly, reducing the load on individual SmartJacks and ensuring that the floor is properly supported. This combination enhances the overall effectiveness of the SmartJack System, providing a more secure and level surface.
Inadequate Support
Inadequate support in the crawl space refers to a situation where the structural components, such as beams and joists, are not strong enough or properly positioned to support the weight of the floors above. This can lead to sagging floors, uneven surfaces, and potential structural damage. Inadequate support can result from various factors, including undersized or rotting beams, insufficient number of support posts, or improper spacing of supports. Addressing inadequate support is crucial to maintaining the integrity and safety of the home.
Vented Crawl Space
The crawl space was open, which allowed moisture to enter and accumulate. This moisture caused the wooden joists to rot and weaken over time. As the joists deteriorated, they were no longer able to support the weight of the floor above, leading to sagging floors.
Humidity Level
Most experts recommend crawl space humidity be between 45% - 55%. During the assessment, this humidity reading was high indicating moisture was present.
SmartJack System
The SmartJack System is adjustable because each support post can be manually raised or lowered. This adjustability allows for precise leveling of the sagging floors. By turning a threaded rod at the top of each SmartJack, the height of the post can be fine-tuned to provide the exact amount of lift needed to restore the floor to a level position. This flexibility ensures that the support system can be customized to address the specific needs of each installation.