Crack in Roof/Ceiling Joist

RoyMi6

RoyMi6

RoyMi6

Soldato
Joined
9 Mar 2010
Posts
2,843
Morning lads,

Took down the ceiling in one of the rooms we're away to decorate because 1) 100 year old wallpaper with various layers or paint beneath isn't fun to take off and 2) there was movement in the plaster that I thought was from it being detached from the lath behind it.

4 hours later and I'm left with a nice clear ceiling for plastering, BUT I've found a crack in a joist.

https://imgur.com/a/PK9MK (overview and closeups)

I've tried to highlight the width of the joist, the size of the notches near the crack and the size of the "sliver" that' cracked along the beam in this image:

t47D2uO.jpg

Because the lath was attached to the bottom of the joist (and that long sliver of wood has cracked off the joist) that's what was causing the movement.

What's the best way to tackle this? Just a massive bracing/sister piece?

Americans seem to sister joists with ply, construction adhesive and nails. Brits seem to favor larger joists that get bolted on.
 
There’s a room above it.

Installing a whole new joist seems like overkill but I suppose ultimately that would be the best solution.

I take it I’m just best lifting the floor above to make sure I can detach the floorboards and going from above is going to be easier than installing from below?

Oh yeah, and I thought the same - it’s definitely the joist. Those batons are nailed on the side and it effectively looks like the nails created the weak point where it has cracked.
 
Sorry, gotcha.

Yes, lath and plaster removed from the ceiling.

The next layer is bits of wood, resting on those batons between the joists, that hold the rubble/ash sound dampening material between the ceiling and the floor above.

Above that is the floorboards of the room above.
 
Yeah, red line is full height of the joist - what you’ve marked in pink is the baton nailed onto the side of the joist.

Sorry, in hindsight I can see how the picture might be ambiguous.

I really need to cut the baton off to have a good look at what’s going on behind it (i.e. how the crack ends). I realise removing it likely has no structural bearing but Christ - it doesn’t half fill me with fear! :D
 
Sorry just in and it's too dark to get decent photos (as you can tell there's no lights in the room at the mo! :)

Will need to do some investigating tomorrow!
 
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