How To Install Cross Bracing In Floor Joists

Put on work gloves safety glasses and a dust mask.

How to install cross bracing in floor joists.

When you reach the underside of the floor you will be able to see several things. Whether your home is new or old it is sometimes necessary to install floor joist bracing in order to eliminate squeaking and deflection in the flooring itself. Bridging is removed to allow for the installation of duct work as shown in figure 3 dryer vent pipes plumbing drains water pipes and. On top of that will be your main floor.

From both ends of the span. Step 2 sagging floor joists. Joists can be strengthened by installing diagonal cross bracing using one by four lumber or metal strips. To install the type shown here drive the toothed end into the joist and nail the other end.

Cross bracing or bridging is another system that reinforces a structure of a building just like blocking does. Adding two rows of bridging costs a few dollars per joist. Even if your joists already have a row of bridging at the center of the span adding a row on each side of the existing bridging will stiffen the floor. Remove the crawl space cover at the outside of the foundation to access the underside of the floor joists for a first floor room.

The joists shown here for example span 12 ft so we added rows of bridging 4 ft. Figure 2 incorrect installation of cross bridging. On top of the floor joists is the subfloor which is typically a sheer or sheets of plywood. As a footstep falls on one joist some of the force is transferred to neighboring joists.

Various types of metal bridging are available at home centers and lumberyards. Installing solid blocking between the joists is the most effective method to lessen or. Mike installs galvanized steel briding in between the floor joists on this bedroom addition project in rocky hill ct. You will have the floor joists which cross one another to form a grid.

As shown in figure 2 it is not unusual especially in new homes to find that the cross bridging has not been nailed to the bottom of the floor joists. The difference is that the cross bracing uses two pieces of support in a diagonal shape that creates an x between the joists instead of a solid block in blocking. Cross bracing and solid blocking.