Cutting Joists In Attic Without Damaging Drywall

Measure the old joists.

Cutting joists in attic without damaging drywall.

Can truss members be cut. These problems must be addressed firsthand prior to implementing any restoration steps. The answer is maybe. Note that the trimmers run the whole length of the joists in place.

If the attic were designed as living space those ceiling joists would become floor joists and be much bigger. You should now be able to press up and get a clean break score the other piece from the top and do the same. It is held in place by the ceiling joists which inside the attic become the floor joists. I have seen situations where someone wants to build a room in an attic that has existing trusses.

Cut both ends perpendicular to the joists and then down the middle. Robert from winnipeg manitoba asks about the safety of walking around in his attic first let s be sure not to fall into the room below. Tack a beam under the sagging joists. If you are not going to remove the insulation you.

Ceiling joists are typically 2 8 lumber floor joists are usually 2 10 or 2x 12 lumber. Most often floor joists need to be sistered because of two problems either water damage which leads to rot or termite damage that crumbled the joist. If you were to remove all the insulation you would see the drywall or plaster of the ceiling below nothing more. In order to maintain the support integrity of the ceiling or floor joist or rafter system it is important that if joists are cut that the load that was bearing on those joists be transferred to a modified support system.

If there was water damage make sure that whatever leaky pipe or condensation issue caused the rot is fixed. Both pieces should come out without damaging the painted surface. Score an entire box the shape you want keeping it inside the edge of the joist. This is best done from the attic.

Make pencil marks on the joists you will be removing. Jacking them up too fast may cause cracks in the walls and floors overhead. The easiest way to do this is by building a rafter system from inside the attic in the area to be modified. A day until they re level.

Measure the length of the old joists and note how much they overhang any supporting walls or beams and the exterior walls. Without knowing anything about the readers house framing it s hard to say. The ceiling joists will not hold much weight being only 2x4 s. Set a hydraulic jack and post under the beam and jack up the joists about 1 8 in.

Yes you can typically cut through joists but you must make some additions known as trimmers and headers to the framing as well. The top corners at the outside ends of the joists may be cut at an angle to fit under the roof decking. Nailing two 2x4s together will work to span about three joists unless the sag is under a weight bearing wall.