The attached photos show a series of manufactured joists that span an area about 10’. They are supported on the ends by a foundation and a beam. In the middle is a 2 x 4 unfinished “wall” and these joists are all cut about 3/4s of the way down from the top. The cut line is almost, but not directly over the unfinished wall. Why? Why? Why?
My only thought is that somehow, someone cut through from the top and then put in the support wall to “fix”???
Looks like the crown of the joists was installed downward and they had to cut it to bring up the joists to the correct floor height. Was the cut spread?
I-joists do not have a crown built in. It looks like someone screwed up to me. Those appear to be 11 7/8 TJI’s. Thsy can san a max of 15’6". If they felt there was a crown, that is the wrong way to fix it. Write what you see and include if there is a footing or not.
Looks like the crown of the joists was installed downward and they had to cut it to bring up the joists to the correct floor height. Was the cut spread?/QUOTElked with either side up.
No spread…just a vertical cut on everyone in this area. I thought this brand could be instaa
Yes they can, just figured if they had a few with deflection/crown this may have been the resulting brainstorm. This is a method which I’ve seen used on 2x joists at times to bring down a crown or bring up deflection. Frankly, it’s nuts. Who knows what this is, I’m interested to see everyone’s theories.
fat fingered that last comment…thought these could be installed with either side up. They are straight. Looks like a 2 story load bearing wall above. The joists are not flexing. You have to zoom in the pic yo see the cuts.
I doesn’t matter which way you put them as there is no right way. I likely built 300 houses with those and although at first there was lots of rumors about how to install them (right way up and end to end) none of it was true. Went to a one day session with weyerhouser in 2001 and learned alot about them and how to install. It’s not rocket science. We used to install them label up but it didn’t really matter.
Take a look at the second photo. There is an adhesive smear on one side only of the top chord. Could this cut have been made by the manufacturer? It’s pretty thin and straight and I don’t see one splinter of tear out. That would be quite a feat to perform on site by a framer.
However Greg as has been pointed out an extra load was added at this point. It does need extra support than and I say that they have cut them as the second floor was too heavy in one location. So since the bottom was under extreme pressure or tension it was best to remove that pressure by installing a support wall and cutting at the top to do so.
Randy will be along soon to help those to understand the engineering side of this ?
Not sure where you got your info on extra loading in this location?? I re-read all the responses and it not there. please explain.
My theory on why they are cut like this is they were gang cut standing up but the blade did not make it all the way through. They made the first cut and then realized they messed up. Instead of ordering new they installed a wall under it. I used to own a 12" skil saw and would do the same thing. Cut through as deep as it would go and then flip them on their side to finish. JM2C.
Dan,
If there is a two story load bearing wall above there should be squash blocks installed.
As far as the cuts in the top of the joists they may have done this for the joists to sit properly, but like everyone has said no deflection gap in the cut is noted so doesn’t make sense. Also, as you said the cut is not directly over the wall which matters even worse.
Give high tech and advanced technology, with clear instructions, to a bunch of construction yahoos and this is what you get. When new technology (Like OBB I joists and engineered trusses and GFCI) comes out, the manufacturers should not sell it anyone unless they actually learn how to use it. Great example: Hardiboard.
Well, it took some time, but I may have found the answer. As we went through the basement inspection, I noticed some light coming through the subfloor (pic 1). It was openings cut for air return - the return plenum had not been closed up to complete installation! Then, found three fire code gypsum panels screwed to the ceiling …hmmm WTF? Said "I’d really like to know what’s behind that. The realtor says “Tear it down.”! I say "No, can’t do that, but the client says “I will”, and pulls one down (pic 2). Well, well - there’s some cuts through the subfloor and I can see all the way up to the 2nd floor. So I go up there and find a return air grill, shine a light down and, yes it’s one of the holes. Then I check the return plenum again, and it is open on this end too (pic 3). So the guy had never finished enclosing to bring air back from another room. Then I check another room upstairs and it too has a return grill but no path through the wall to basement. This is above the area where the joists had been cut. He must have been trying to get an opening (pic 4). see patched OSB…and just gave up. Then put up a support wall to “fix” the cut joist mistake. The End.