Sagging floor repair in Tupelo
When a floor dips or bounces, the cause is almost always in the crawl space below. Here's what's typically behind it in Lee County and how it gets fixed.
In a raised house, the subfloor rests on joists, the joists rest on beams, and the beams rest on piers and the foundation wall. Trouble anywhere along that path shows up in the rooms above: a low spot in the hall, a floor that tilts toward one wall, or dishes that rattle when someone walks through the kitchen.
What makes floors sag around Tupelo?
- Shifting clay. Mississippi State University describes Black Belt soils as expansive clays that shrink and swell with wetting and drying, which can move piers on shallow footings.
- Moisture damage. Years of damp air soften joists, sills and subfloor, especially under bathrooms and kitchens.
- Long spans. Older homes often have piers spaced far apart or beams that are light for the load.
- Old cuts. Joists notched for plumbing or ductwork decades ago.
- Insects. Termite damage that stays hidden until the floor starts to move.
How is it fixed from below?
- Supplemental piers or adjustable steel posts to shorten the span under a beam
- Sistering new lumber alongside cracked, rotted or undersized joists
- A new or doubled beam under the sagging section
- New sill plate and subfloor where rot has set in
Floors that have settled for years are usually raised gradually. Jacking too far too fast can crack plaster, drywall and tile. The moisture or drainage problem that caused the damage should be fixed in the same job, or the new wood faces the same conditions.
Licenses and permits
Under Mississippi Code 73-59-1, improvements to an existing home that cost more than $10,000 require a licensed remodeler, and the Mississippi State Board of Contractors offers a Residential Remodeling classification. Inside Tupelo, construction work needs a permit from Development Services, and the city's renovation permit application asks for a signed contract with the contractor. Some structural jobs also call for an engineer, so ask whether yours does.
Warning signs
- Springy or soft spots, especially near tubs and toilets
- Doors that stick or drift open on their own
- Gaps opening under baseboards or between floor and wall
- Fresh cracks in tile or above door frames
Every price comes from the crawl space company, after someone has actually been under your house. We don't quote prices, and any number you hear over the phone before an inspection is a rough guess at best.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can a sagging floor be fixed without tearing it out?
Usually. Most floor support work happens in the crawl space with added piers, beams or sistered joists. Badly rotted subfloor may need some work from above.
Will the floor end up perfectly level?
Not always. Older floors are often lifted a little at a time and supported where they settle, instead of being forced level all at once. Ask what's realistic for your house.
Related services
- Crawl space encapsulation
- Vapor barrier replacement
- Moisture control and dehumidifiers
- Crawl space repair
More background: Tupelo crawl space guide.
Musty air, a bouncy floor or water under the house?
Call and we'll connect you with a crawl space company that works in Lee County.