How can I tell if my porch floorboards are sagging?
How can I tell if the floorboards on my porch are sagging?
Expert
Maestro
Sagging of floors will show up as a repetitive wavy pattern. Individual deck or porch boards can sag. This is different from joist sagging.
The usual causes for sagging are:
- Overspanning of the floor boards
- Floor boards that are too thin
- Weakened floor boards
Saggin floors will be springy and may be weak enough to break under heavy localized loads.
As you walk on the floors, watch for localized deflection under your foot and sight along the floor looking for a repetitive wavy pattern. It's a good idea to walk heavily on a deck or porch to check for bounce or spring.
One inch boards need joists every 16 inches, roughly. One-and-a-half-inch boards (2 x 6s, for example) need supports at least every 24 inches.
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