Wood Rot Repair
Crawl Space Stabilization
If you have a crawl space under your home, you may not pay much attention to what’s going on down there. However, ignoring your crawl space can lead to serious problems that affect the structural integrity and safety of your home. One of the most common issues that homeowners face is the deterioration of their girders, bands, and joists. These are the main components that support the weight of your home and keep it level and stable. If they are damaged or failing, you may notice signs such as sagging floors, cracks in walls, doors and windows that stick or won’t close, and musty odors. In this page, we will explain what girders, bands, and joists are, how they differ from each other, why they need to be repaired or replaced, and how RhinoLift can help you with this crawl space repair solution.
Joists vs Bands vs Girders: What Is The Difference?
To understand the difference between joists, bands, and girders, you need to know how they work together to form the structure of your home. Your home is composed of different layers and elements that support each other and create a stable and comfortable living space. The foundation is the lowest layer that rests on the ground and provides a solid base for your home. The crawl space is the space between the foundation and the first floor that allows access to plumbing, wiring, and ventilation systems. The floor system is the layer that covers the crawl space and supports the flooring above it. The floor system consists of three main components: girders, bands, and joists.
Girders
Girders are the largest and strongest beams in your crawl space. They run horizontally along the length of your home and are supported by vertical posts or piers. Girders carry the load of the entire structure and distribute it to the foundation. Girders are usually made of wood, but they can also be made of steel or concrete. Girders can be damaged by moisture, insects, rot, mold, fire, or poor installation. When girders fail, they can cause your home to sink or settle unevenly. This can lead to serious structural damage and safety hazards.
If you have damaged girders in your crawl space, you need to act fast and get them repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Damaged girders can compromise the entire structure of your home and put you and your family at risk. You may also face costly repairs or even legal issues if your home does not meet the building codes or standards. RhinoLift can help you with girder repair or replacement and restore the strength and stability of your home.
Bands
Bands are also known as band joists or rim joists. They are the outermost beams that run along the perimeter of your crawl space. They connect the ends of the floor joists and form a box-like frame for your floor system. Bands provide lateral support and stability for your home and prevent the floor joists from twisting or buckling. Bands are also exposed to the outside air and moisture, which can cause them to warp, crack, rot, or decay. Damaged bands can compromise the strength and alignment of your floor system and create gaps for air leaks and pests.
If you have damaged bands in your crawl space, you need to seal them and prevent further deterioration. Damaged bands can affect the energy efficiency and indoor air quality of your home and increase your utility bills and health risks. You may also attract unwanted pests such as rodents, insects, or mold that can damage your home and cause diseases. RhinoLift can help you with band repair or replacement and seal your crawl space from the outside elements and pests.
Joists
Joists are the smaller beams that run perpendicular to the girders and parallel to the bands. They span either the entire width or half the width of your home and are supported by the girders. Joists support the subfloor and flooring above them and transfer the load to the girders. Joists are also susceptible to moisture, insects, rot, mold, fire, or poor installation. When joists fail, they can cause your floors to sag, bounce, creak, or slope. This can affect the comfort and appearance of your home and reduce its value.
If you have damaged joists in your crawl space, you need to reinforce them and level your floors. Damaged joists can make your floors unstable and unsafe to walk on and cause damage to your furniture and appliances. You may also experience noise and vibration issues that can disturb your peace and comfort. RhinoLift can help you with joist repair or replacement and level your floors with durable materials and methods.
As you can see, joists and girders are both types of beams. A beam is a general term that refers to a horizontal, load-bearing structural member in a structure that supports a roof or floor above it. A girder is the main load-bearing beam in a structure and is supported by posts. A joist is a secondary horizontal support beam in a structure that is supported by girders. Therefore, the main beam in your house is not just a “main beam” – it’s a girder beam. And the floor joists in your house are not just “joists”, but are technically “joist beams”. Simply using the term “beam” is not accurate when referring to any structural component of your home.
Knowing the difference between joists, beams, and girders can help you identify and diagnose any problems that may arise in your crawl space structure. If you notice any signs of damage or failure in your girders, bands, or joists, such as sagging floors, cracks in walls, doors or windows that stick or won’t close, or musty odors, you should contact a professional crawl space repair company like RhinoLift as soon as possible.
When Should You Replace Your Girders, Bands, or Joists?
You should repair your girders, bands, and joists as soon as you notice any signs of damage or failure. Some of these signs include:
- Sagging or uneven floors
- Cracks in walls or ceilings
- Doors or windows that stick or won't close
- Bouncy or squeaky floors
- Visible damage or decay in your crawl space
To determine the best solution to your specific problem, you should consult with a professional crawl space repair contractor who can inspect your property and provide you with a free estimate. A reputable contractor will be able to explain the pros and cons of each option and help you make an informed decision.
How Do You Repair / Replace Your Girders, Bands, or Joists?
Repairing or replacing your girders, bands, and joists is not a DIY project. It requires specialized skills, tools, equipment, and materials. It also involves working in a confined and potentially hazardous space. That’s why you need to hire a reputable crawl space repair company like RhinoLift
We have the expertise and resources to handle any type of crawl space stabilization problem. We use high-quality materials and proven methods to restore the strength and stability of your crawl space structure. We also offer a lifetime warranty on our workmanship and materials.
Girder, Band & Joist FAQs
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The cost of replacing a girder depends on several factors, such as the size, material, condition, and location of the girder, the extent of the damage, the accessibility of the crawl space, and the labor and equipment required. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of repairing or replacing a girder ranges from $1,000 to $5,000, with most homeowners spending around $3,000. However, this is only an estimate and the actual cost may vary depending on your specific situation. To get a more accurate quote, you should contact a professional crawl space repair company like RhinoLift and schedule a free inspection and estimate.
Sagging floor joists are a common problem in older homes with crawl spaces. They can be caused by moisture, insects, rot, mold, fire, or poor installation. Sagging floor joists can affect the comfort and appearance of your home and reduce its value. To fix sagging floor joists, you need to identify the source of the problem and address it accordingly. Some possible solutions include:
#1: Adding extra support posts or piers under the girder to lift and level the sagging joists.
#2: Replacing damaged or rotten joists with new ones that match the size and material of the existing ones.
#3: Installing sister joists or beams alongside the sagging joists to reinforce them and distribute the load evenly.
#4: Using metal connectors or brackets to join cracked or split joists.
#5: Applying wood preservatives or sealants to protect the joists from moisture and insects.
Fixing sagging floor joists is not a DIY project. It requires specialized skills, tools, equipment, and materials. It also involves working in a confined and potentially hazardous space. That’s why you need to hire a reputable crawl space repair company like RhinoLift to handle this job for you.
A band board and a rim joist are two terms that refer to the same thing. They are the outermost beams that run along the perimeter of your crawl space. They connect the ends of the floor joists and form a box-like frame for your floor system. Band boards or rim joists provide lateral support and stability for your home and prevent the floor joists from twisting or buckling. Band boards or rim joists are also exposed to the outside air and moisture, which can cause them to warp, crack, rot, or decay. Damaged band boards or rim joists can compromise the strength and alignment of your floor system and create gaps for air leaks and pests.
Contact Us For Professional Crawl Space Repair Services In Charlotte and the Surrounding Areas
As a reputable foundation repair company serving Charlotte, NC, and surrounding areas, RhinoLift is dedicated to providing top-notch services to homeowners facing foundation damage concerns. Our team of skilled contractors understands the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of our clients and the longevity of their homes. We offer complimentary inspections and detailed service quotes to Charlotte homeowners, allowing us to accurately assess the extent of the foundation damage and provide an effective repair plan. You can trust us to implement the best strategy tailored to your specific needs, whether it’s addressing bowing walls, tilting walls, or other foundation issues.
Contact our RhinoLift Foundation & Crawl Space Repair team by calling 888-758-3735 to schedule an appointment. You can also click the button below to fill out our online contact form for a free crawl space inspection.
