Flooring is a vitally important part of your home. When the floors sag, this can cause all kinds of problems. These problems need to be fixed at the earliest to avoid further issues.

Examining the Problem

The first thing to do is examine the floors. This means getting close to the floors and seeing exactly how they work. Keep in mind that perimeter walls are often on top of a thick support beam and will not settle very much over time. You'll want to inspect all parts of the floor. This includes the support beams. It also includes floor joists.

Types of Problems

As the experts at 58 Foundations point out, there are many types of problems that can cause an issue. It's important to know the likely cause in your home in order to address it properly. That way, you can repair a sagging floor. In many instances, dampness and moisture are a particular problem. This might lead to problems such as mold that can damage the entire floor. The same is true of small holes that can indicate problems with an insect infestation.

Fixing It

Fixing the problem can be done in one of several ways. If you have not done this process before or you have no experience with this kind of repair, you might want to hire someone else to do this task for you. If you have done minor housing repairs in the past, you'll probably find it easier to implement one of many relative solutions to get rid of your home's sagging floors and make them look better once you're done.

Use Metal

Metal offers strength to any floor. It's strong and can carry a large load. Even a small metal plate can make a difference in the look of the floor. It can also help ensure that the wood will withstand even more pressure as you use the floors. A metal plate can be added along the floor joints to help the wood stand up straighter. This can serve as reinforcing materials. It is also helpful to shore up the entire structure with additional levels of plywood. Placing it on another side of the metal is an ideal way to keep your floors in the best possible shape.

Sistering

Sistering is another way to reinforce your existing flooring. This process consists of adding the same type of wood to the existing flooring in order to keep it up and reduce sagging issues. You take the type of lumber you have on hand and then add more of the same lumber to the base of it. A flitch plate can also be added in the form of metal or plywood. One or more can work to help avoid any further problems with sagging flooring. Joists or beams can also be shored up to keep the floors from further damage.

All sagging floors should be dealt with as soon as possible to fix them properly.