Cut Joist (Wooden "I" Beam) Repair

timaelabu

Hello

I was redoing my kitchen the right way by getting plumbing&electrical permits. In the process i had to remove the builder installed (20yrs old town home) fire-place and it exposed the fireplace exhaust that was installed by cutting a floor joist.

Please see the document with pictures and notes - AND a 2 min video

Questions: -

- Can a header be installed only on one side of the cut joist ?
(see the diagram"B" in the document link)

- Less important question - will this impact my home insurance till it is fixed?

joecaption

What are the plans for that area?
I do not see an issure with just heading it off on the left side because the other side looks like it's sitting on top of a wall and it's not going anyplace.

What made you think anything about your home insurance?
Home owners find this type junk all the time, I've never heard about an insurance company coming around and doing framing inspections.

joecaption

http://www.internationalbeams.com/fi...ign-Manual.pdf

timaelabu

I was going to cover the fireplace hole with drywall.

The county inspector asked me what are my plans for the extra space and before i could tell him he walked in and looked up failed my 3 permits(water, gas plumbing and electrical). Asked me to fix the cut joist with a 'header' and call him back.

The guy at the Home center suggested that I can use a steel nailing strip to make the joist continuous. - not sure if that would satisfy the inspector.

About the insurance - since the inspector remarks are on my permits and on the record(not to mention the county's public website - seen by the world and the insurance guys --- if my house happens to fall to ground say due to a tornedo----the insurance might not cover it.

timaelabu

Thanks for the manual.

joecaption

That will show you how to build the header.

rule #1 never ever take advice from someone working at a box store.
Rule #2 read rule #1 again.

That would be a big waste of space to just cover over that area.
It would be eazy and cheap to make that into a nice closit with some shelves and a Bifolding door.

timaelabu

Thanks again. Could you please check the attached design someone has recommended and let me know what you think. As per the design i can support the Cut parts of the joist on the wall below and connect the header only on the non-hvac duct side (right side of the photos) of the I-Joist.

Here are comments from a gentleman who gave me a design-

"The right side is OK, since it sits on a vertical wall. The left side needs a "bridge" to help support that flapping end. You may (since I can't see from the pix) have to cut back even a little more on the I-joist in order to install a 2x12 (or whatever size fits) on the end of it and have space to work. I would extend the 2x12 over the wall, attach it to the end of the I-joist and bridge to the adjacent joist, fastening it there with a T notch so the 2x12 not only fits the top and bottom chord, but sits inside to fit the webbing, where you can screw it in solidly and it will rest on the bottom chord.
Forgive my rudimentary drawing."

Attached Images

 

timaelabu

One more question :

In your experience does the county inspector ask for official document from a Structural Engineer (certified P.E.) before passing this fix suggested here ?

for the web stiffener install i will have the open the wall and roof on the side of the duct(kitchen side) and i will take some more pictures and draw and ortho diagram for your comments.