Floor Joist Cross Bracing Has Moved

Bridging or x bracing allows joists to share weight.

Floor joist cross bracing has moved.

Figure 1 cross and solid bridging with load on floor. Would you consider this an issue after 30 years of no problems and would you recommend they be finished. Residential building code requires the use of cross bracing or blocking for floor joists exceeding 2 inches by 12 inches but many homes especially older ones have. Even if your joists already have a row of bridging at the center of the span adding a row on each side of the existing bridging will stiffen the floor.

Simpson strong tie tension bridging galvanized steel the ltb s are used in floor systems to resist the overturning of floor joists and features a staggered nail pattern. Figure 2 incorrect installation of cross bridging. Bracing will stiffen a floor system prevent floor joists from twisting and increase overall stability however there are actually two types of floor joist bracing commonly used. As a footstep falls on one joist some of the force is transferred to neighboring joists.

Whether your home is new or old it is sometimes necessary to install floor joist bracing in order to eliminate squeaking and deflection in the flooring itself. I have also observed that no twisting or movement issues were found and many homes are 20 years or older. Meaning the top end was nailed but the bottm ends were not. Thd sku 205173.

How to brace your floor studs. As shown in figure 2 it is not unusual especially in new homes to find that the cross bridging has not been nailed to the bottom of the floor joists.