Cutting Joists In Attic Without Damaging Drywall

Robert from winnipeg manitoba asks about the safety of walking around in his attic first let s be sure not to fall into the room below.

Cutting joists in attic without damaging drywall.

Set a hydraulic jack and post under the beam and jack up the joists about 1 8 in. Can truss members be cut. If there was water damage make sure that whatever leaky pipe or condensation issue caused the rot is fixed. Jacking them up too fast may cause cracks in the walls and floors overhead.

Score an entire box the shape you want keeping it inside the edge of the joist. These problems must be addressed firsthand prior to implementing any restoration steps. Both pieces should come out without damaging the painted surface. Measure the length of the old joists and note how much they overhang any supporting walls or beams and the exterior walls.

If you are not going to remove the insulation you. Ceiling joists are typically 2 8 lumber floor joists are usually 2 10 or 2x 12 lumber. It is held in place by the ceiling joists which inside the attic become the floor joists. The answer is maybe.

If you are removing only one joist make a mark on each end 1 1 2 inches wider than the rough opening. Without knowing anything about the readers house framing it s hard to say. The top corners at the outside ends of the joists may be cut at an angle to fit under the roof decking. Nailing two 2x4s together will work to span about three joists unless the sag is under a weight bearing wall.

Cutting and or removing joists to provide an entry or access can be the most difficult part of the overall project. If you were to remove all the insulation you would see the drywall or plaster of the ceiling below nothing more. Yes you can typically cut through joists but you must make some additions known as trimmers and headers to the framing as well. Make pencil marks on the joists you will be removing.

A day until they re level. Tack a beam under the sagging joists. This is best done from the attic. I have seen situations where someone wants to build a room in an attic that has existing trusses.

Measure the old joists. Cut both ends perpendicular to the joists and then down the middle. Note that the trimmers run the whole length of the joists in place. In order to maintain the support integrity of the ceiling or floor joist or rafter system it is important that if joists are cut that the load that was bearing on those joists be transferred to a modified support system.

Most often floor joists need to be sistered because of two problems either water damage which leads to rot or termite damage that crumbled the joist. That s a big size and strength difference between the two types of attic joists even if the joist spacing is the same. The ceiling joists will not hold much weight being only 2x4 s.