Job completed for Sagging Foyer Fixed: How We Repaired Broken Floor Joists Under a Staircase

Completion date: April 25, 2025

Location: Hartselle, AL

Why did the customer contact us?

The homeowner contacted us with concerns about noticeable settling and soft spots in the floor, particularly near the entry of the home. During the interior inspection, we observed visible sagging in the main foyer, most pronounced in the area approaching the staircase, where the floor felt uneven underfoot and showed signs of deflection. After accessing the crawlspace, we discovered three broken floor joists directly beneath the staircase area, which were no longer providing proper structural support. In addition to the broken members, several of the surrounding floor joists were uneven and out of level, indicating long-term movement and stress in the framing system. This combination of broken and misaligned joists was directly contributing to the sagging and settlement the homeowner was experiencing inside the living space and, if left unaddressed, could have led to further structural damage, increased floor movement, and potential safety concerns

Solutions provided:

To correct the structural issues causing the sagging floors, we reinforced the damaged framing and added new support underneath the home. First, we addressed the broken and weakened joists by doubling or scabbing them—installing new lumber alongside the existing joists to restore their strength and stiffness. Next, we installed a properly sized steel beam beneath the affected area to carry the load more effectively across the span, especially under the staircase and main foyer. Finally, we set adjustable PowerPost floor supports under the steel beam and critical joist locations, securely bearing on engineered footings to ensure long-term stability. These supports were carefully leveled and tightened to lift and re-support the floor system, reducing deflection and helping to bring the floors back to a more even, solid condition while protecting the home from further structural movement

Team members on this project:

Danny Gallegos, Jarod Davis