Floor Reinforcement Quote. Thoughts?

[PharmrJohn]

Depending on your comfort level.. I would DIY it. I just did mine.
If you have 2x8 joists I would sister in another 2x8 to each existing. I would look if there are any seams in the plywood near where you are putting the tank. If so, I would block it as well. Blocking provides a lot of strength and keeps the joists from sagging.
I would dig a footing about 12 inches deep and wide enough to put a pier block in. Pour some concrete with a little steel to give it strength. Then put the pier bloc on. You could replace the pier block with a screw jack if you want but the concrete you pour must be troweled flat. Place a 4x4 that spans all the joists where the tank will sit. This should be done at 24 inch intervals.
I would check to see if your floor decking is 3/4 inch.. most likely is. I would most likely block it every 12-16 inches if it was 3/4 inch.
That should provide enough support. Is your crawl space dirt?

Yep. All I read was blah, blah, blah. That cemented it for me. No DIY!!!

 

[braaap]

Depends on your crawlspace. Is it 6 ft tall or 3ft tall?

I’d DIY it and I’d do similar to what Bean said. I’d dig footers, pour concrete with some bar, then depending on height use a beam and some jacks to support those joists. The joists themselves are more than strong enough. It’s the span and sagging I’d worry about and even then I don’t think I’d be too worried about it.

 

[Mas0n]

Depends on your crawlspace. Is it 6 ft tall or 3ft tall?

I’d DIY it and I’d do similar to what Bean said. I’d dig footers, pour concrete with some bar, then depending on height use a beam and some jacks to support those joists. The joists themselves are more than strong enough. It’s the span and sagging I’d worry about and even then I don’t think I’d be too worried about it

It's probably 4-5 feet in the area under the tank. Easily accessible.

 

[PharmrJohn]

It's probably 4-5 feet in the area under the tank. Easily accessible.

Oh, I'm so jealous. Mine isn't.

 

[littlefoxx]

I would shop around then and see if you get a better deal

Nope! Just a quote.

 

[braaap]

It's probably 4-5 feet in the area under the tank. Easily accessible.

Yup. Do what I said. Your floor as it is will likely be fine if you are spanning across them with the tank and not just on one or two. But shoring it up can’t hurt.

Dig footers/piers for the jacks, use some rebar and pour concrete, put a beam across the joists and use a couple of jacks to take the beam up snug to the joists.



Could probably do the entire thing in two weekends(let concrete cure) for less than $500. Shoring posts are $50-100 each for your application.

 

[Sean Norman]

I would agree, the 2x8 is capable of supporting the load based on span. My floor is built with 2x8 8 foot spans sitting on triple 2x8 sistered beams. Each beam rides on 18x18 inch concrete blocks.
My load bearing walls are doubled up 2x8 supported every 4 feet.
It is overbuilt.. I still supported my floor. I chose to use the 4x4 be use it is easy to work with and it gave me the space to use a screw floor jack. I did not want to have to use wedges to tighten up a vertical 4x.
I probably did not need to support the floor.. but I will sleep better knowing it is supported. I am lucky as weak because my plywood is 1 1/8 ply. The seams are the weakest point even with the nail pattern. The blocking will help to resist the joists twisting and sagging.
Again, if you are unsure.. I would hire someone.

 

[Mas0n]

Yup. Do what I said. Your floor as it is will likely be fine if you are spanning across them with the tank and not just on one or two. But shoring it up can’t hurt.

Dig footers/piers for the jacks, use some rebar and pour concrete, put a beam across the joists and use a couple of jacks to take the beam up snug to the joists.



Could probably do the entire thing in two weekends(let concrete cure) for less than $500. Shoring posts are $50-100 each for your application.

Good advice! Thank you! Just poured both footers. Going to give them a few days to set, next few nights will be just above 40f.

 

[braaap]

Good advice! Thank you! Just poured both footers. Going to give them a few days to set, next few nights will be just above 40f.

Looks great! Monthly checks when they are installed is good practice to make sure they are still stable. It’s good practice for a crawl space anyways.

 

[Mas0n]

Looks great! Monthly checks when they are installed is good practice to make sure they are still stable. It’s good practice for a crawl space anyways.

That’s the plan! I’m going to go through the winter without a large tank over it. So I’ll get to see if there’s any frost heave to worry about.

 

[Red_Beard]

That’s the plan! I’m going to go through the winter without a large tank over it. So I’ll get to see if there’s any frost heave to worry about.

Shouldnt frost in NC, it wont be as warm as conditioned space, but if it did frost, you would have some serious plumbing issues. Your mud should be fine

 

[braaap]

That’s the plan! I’m going to go through the winter without a large tank over it. So I’ll get to see if there’s any frost heave to worry about.

I wouldn't worry as much about heaving as I would settling.

 

[Mas0n]

I wouldn't worry as much about heaving as I would settling.

Hopefully the compacting of the dirt and base material under the pier will minimize that. Have you had to adjust your jacks due to settling?

 

[braaap]

Hopefully the compacting of the dirt and base material under the pier will minimize that. Have you had to adjust your jacks due to settling?

Depends on when your home was built.

I don’t have this setup. But I’ve done it before. I lived in Seattle area then. Had minor settling but that was mainly due to water intrusion. Never stops raining there during the winter haha

I did pest control for years. I always recommend a monthly or every other month crawlspace check. I found so many leaking pipes and hot/burned connections in customers crawl spaces it was crazy. Multiple times I found washed out supports or foundations too. People just don’t check. The crawlspace is the most important part of your home and it’s often neglected and poorly built.

 

[Mas0n]

Concrete set and finished up the supports today.

Used two, 2x10s and structural screws to make the beam.