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How to fix gap between floor joist and beam?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice about an issue with my floor. A bit of background: my house is a late-60s elevated single-story. The previous owner used packers to fill gaps between the steel beam and floor joists (some gaps are as large as 4-5 cm), which caused the floor to become uneven and vibrate when walked on.

I removed the packers, and the floor settled a bit, making it look better, but now I’m left with gaps as shown in the photos. A structural engineer recommended removing the packers completely and lifting the steel beam to properly support the floor. However, a builder I consulted suggested adding additional piers for support instead.

This has left me a bit confused about the best approach to take. I’m now considering reinstalling shims to eliminate any gaps larger than 1 meter between the steel beam and joists.

If anyone has dealt with a similar situation or has advice on the best way forward, I’d really appreciate your input!

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Comments

MitchellMc

Hi @Zak_m,

It sounds like there are a few different ways to address the issue, and it largely depends on the specifics of the situation. The structural engineer's recommendation to lift the steel beam and properly support the floor makes sense structurally, but this may involve significant work and cost. Engineers tend to suggest the most permanent and stable solution, but they don't always take the practicalities or expenses into account.

The builder’s suggestion of adding additional piers could be a more practical solution if you're looking to avoid the more expensive and intrusive work of lifting the beam. Adding piers could provide the extra support needed without having to adjust the beam itself.

A key consideration here is why the floor joists aren't sitting properly on the steel beam. If the joists were correctly positioned on the beam, would the floor above be level? If the joists themselves have bowed upwards, they may need to be secured or replaced, which could help with the unevenness.

It’s also worth considering whether the beam has sunk over time, or if the floor above has bowed upwards, both of which could contribute to the gap. If the beam has sunk, lifting it and adding piers underneath might help stabilise the floor. If the joists have bowed upwards, they may need to be re-affixed to the beam to provide better support and reduce the gap.

It may be worthwhile to get a second opinion from a builder who specialises in floor systems, or to work alongside the structural engineer to ensure that the solution chosen is both effective and cost-efficient.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

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