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A bedroom has a 7’ crack in a ceiling joist and I'm wondering if anyone here has experience in contractor, architecture, and/or engineering and can provide some input regarding whether or not it represents a structural/safety concern, and if yes, what are the typical options for repair?
I have two questions both related to the joist:
1.) If it is necessary, how to repair the crack?
2.) A steam radiator's heat pipe which passes through a pre-existing hole in the joist needs to be slightly enlarged ... that is to say extending the hole by approx. 1"-2" in height so as to permit repositioning of the pipe. The pipe is presently back-pitched so instead of correctly draining the condesate, the water is pooling in the pipe causing noise-hammering ... raising the pipe slightly will allow it to be correctly angled downwards towards the main heat riser pipe and properly drain. The joist's crack runs right across the hole that's presently there. Even if the answer to question #1 above is that the joist doesn't need to be repaired, there's still the consequence of further weakening the joist by adding another hole.
I've posted several pics as an aid to understand the nature of the joist's crack/split/check and also to show the ceiling framing structure.
Insofar as this sort of joist building structure has been in use for centuries, I assume that a joist developing a crack/split/check is a common occurrence and there's common methods of dealing with it. I'm looking for the least invasive means of repair.
Dimensions:
-Ceiling joist dimensions: 7.25” X 2.5” x 11’.
-One end is socketed into a weight bearing masonry wall, the other end is supported by a metal bracket in a wooden cross member. Only the joist with the check and one next to it are 11' and supported by a bracket, all the other joists in the room are 16' long and their other ends go to a weight bearing steel I-beam.
-Joists are spaced 14” on center.
-This joist and approximately 8 others adjacent to it were all completely replaced in 2011 during structural renovation work. That work was done designed by a certified architect and engineer.
Comment: There’s a 2” hole drilled in the center of the joist for radiator steam pipe to pass through. The worrisome crack passes directly through the hole.
Crack: There is a crack (or ‘check’) that runs approx. 7’ in length at the center of the joist. The crack is only on one side of the joist and doesn’t penetrate completely through the thickness of the joist. The opposing side of the joist is intact, however it's cupped slightly due to the crack. Is this a structural problem or is it not a concern? (all the other joists appear to be fine without cracks).
Below are several pics all looking up at the ceiling structure:
Pre-history: The two pics on top show the structure during the renovation prior to the reinstallation of the plumbing pipes. In these photos one can see the two joists on the left (approx. 11' long) are supported by metal brackets. The second joist from the left is the one that has developed a crack.
The bottom two pics show the plumbing pipes installed.
In the pic on the bottom left one can see the vertical pipe nipple exiting the floor and connected to an elbow, then a length of pipe goes perpendicular through through the second-to-the-left joist. It is this joist that developed a crack/split.
I have two questions both related to the joist:
1.) If it is necessary, how to repair the crack?
2.) A steam radiator's heat pipe which passes through a pre-existing hole in the joist needs to be slightly enlarged ... that is to say extending the hole by approx. 1"-2" in height so as to permit repositioning of the pipe. The pipe is presently back-pitched so instead of correctly draining the condesate, the water is pooling in the pipe causing noise-hammering ... raising the pipe slightly will allow it to be correctly angled downwards towards the main heat riser pipe and properly drain. The joist's crack runs right across the hole that's presently there. Even if the answer to question #1 above is that the joist doesn't need to be repaired, there's still the consequence of further weakening the joist by adding another hole.
I've posted several pics as an aid to understand the nature of the joist's crack/split/check and also to show the ceiling framing structure.
Insofar as this sort of joist building structure has been in use for centuries, I assume that a joist developing a crack/split/check is a common occurrence and there's common methods of dealing with it. I'm looking for the least invasive means of repair.
Dimensions:
-Ceiling joist dimensions: 7.25” X 2.5” x 11’.
-One end is socketed into a weight bearing masonry wall, the other end is supported by a metal bracket in a wooden cross member. Only the joist with the check and one next to it are 11' and supported by a bracket, all the other joists in the room are 16' long and their other ends go to a weight bearing steel I-beam.
-Joists are spaced 14” on center.
-This joist and approximately 8 others adjacent to it were all completely replaced in 2011 during structural renovation work. That work was done designed by a certified architect and engineer.
Comment: There’s a 2” hole drilled in the center of the joist for radiator steam pipe to pass through. The worrisome crack passes directly through the hole.
Crack: There is a crack (or ‘check’) that runs approx. 7’ in length at the center of the joist. The crack is only on one side of the joist and doesn’t penetrate completely through the thickness of the joist. The opposing side of the joist is intact, however it's cupped slightly due to the crack. Is this a structural problem or is it not a concern? (all the other joists appear to be fine without cracks).
Below are several pics all looking up at the ceiling structure:
Pre-history: The two pics on top show the structure during the renovation prior to the reinstallation of the plumbing pipes. In these photos one can see the two joists on the left (approx. 11' long) are supported by metal brackets. The second joist from the left is the one that has developed a crack.
The bottom two pics show the plumbing pipes installed.
In the pic on the bottom left one can see the vertical pipe nipple exiting the floor and connected to an elbow, then a length of pipe goes perpendicular through through the second-to-the-left joist. It is this joist that developed a crack/split.
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