Thank you. So would I need to have the plywood or OSB span the entire webbing? From wall to wall is approximately 12 feet.That would work if it can fit in the webbing of the joist.
Georgia Pacific suggest just using 3/4 plywood or OSB on both sides with constrution adhesive and nails.
I have to question wether the proposed "sistering" method is legitimately proper for your case.Hello,
I'm new to DIY and looking for a little advice. I am placing a 175 gallon aquarium in my living room and need to reinforce the floor it will be. Below the living room is unfinished and I have access to the floor joists ( I joists that are 24 inch on center). The aquarium will have to go parallel with two joists along a load bearing wall. Others have recommended I sister the two I joists with 2x12 and I should be fine. Would screwing or nailing a 2x12 into the I joist compromise the joist? What would be the best and most cost effective way to reinforce the floor for an aquarium? The house was built in September 2012. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. I just don't want to do something that can affect my new home, in a negative way.
oodssoo you have a valid point. I originally thought about having a framing wall built but due to the space I would be losing I shifted focus. Maybe I need to revisit that idea if this will cause some type of structural issues in the future. As i mentioned this is a new home and I hate to cause problems later down the line. Would applying the same suggestions as the others about filling the joist and strengthening it then using jack posts to transfer the weight to the basement slab work the same as building a frame? I still have a few weeks before the aquarium arrives to finish the project. Thanks again for your comments and recommendationsI have to question wether the proposed "sistering" method is legitimately proper for your case.
175 gallons equals 1457.75 lbs.
With my background in construction and structure engineering, I would recommend considering seriously building a weight bearing framed wall directly underneath the aquarium to permenantly transfer the weight from the floor joists to the concrete slab of your basement.
Otherwise, you will dent your floor joist system in that very spot, causing unwanted problems down the road.
Hope this helps.
That would work if it can fit in the webbing of the joist.
Georgia Pacific suggest just using 3/4 plywood or OSB on both sides with constrution adhesive and nails.
most i joists have a 1" gap betwwen the web and the chords so i take 2 layers of 1/2" ply to fill it.. first starting with a 8' peice centered then fill in the ends. then for the 2nd layer just switch it.. start from the end then finish. then a layer of either 1/2" or 3/4 on the outside
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I have TDI I-joists, would the same work with them? The subfloor above the I-joists has water damage/rot approx. 2'x 3'. I watched youtube videos to learn how to fix the subfloor and think I need to add extra strength under all edges of the subfloor patch. So after strengthening the web, can I screw through it to secure a 2 x 4 between the I-joists to support the front and back ends of the patch?
