Floor Joist Cross Bracing Has Moved

As a footstep falls on one joist some of the force is transferred to neighboring joists.

Floor joist cross bracing has moved.

Figure 1 cross and solid bridging with load on floor. Would you consider this an issue after 30 years of no problems and would you recommend they be finished. Bridging or x bracing allows joists to share weight. Meaning the top end was nailed but the bottm ends were not.

I have also observed that no twisting or movement issues were found and many homes are 20 years or older. Figure 2 incorrect installation of cross bridging. I would say about 50 of the crawlspaces i inspect have cross bracing installed between each joist but never compleated. Whether your home is new or old it is sometimes necessary to install floor joist bracing in order to eliminate squeaking and deflection in the flooring itself.

Even if your joists already have a row of bridging at the center of the span adding a row on each side of the existing bridging will stiffen the floor. Simpson strong tie tension bridging galvanized steel the ltb s are used in floor systems to resist the overturning of floor joists and features a staggered nail pattern. As shown in figure 2 it is not unusual especially in new homes to find that the cross bridging has not been nailed to the bottom of the floor joists. How to brace your floor studs.

Install with two 6d common nails per end. Residential building code requires the use of cross bracing or blocking for floor joists exceeding 2 inches by 12 inches but many homes especially older ones have.