Bouncy Floors

Your floor should offer a stable, even walking surface, but you may sometimes notice a bounce or springiness underfoot.

Don’t dismiss this as a minor inconvenience or shrug it off as a “typical” sign of an older home. Bouncy floors may indicate underlying structural issues that demand attention.

At Bay Area Underpinning, we understand how frustrating managing these issues can be. We provide comprehensive crawl space repair solutions that tackle the root cause of sagging floors to prevent further damage.

In this guide, we explore bouncy floors, their causes, and how our tailored solutions effectively remedy the issue.

What Are Bouncy Floors?

Bouncy floors refer to floors that flex, bounce, or sag noticeably when walked on. If your floors feel spongy or seem to move up and down when you step on them, you likely have bouncy floors. This problem is often most noticeable on the upper levels of homes with a crawl space underneath.

Floors bounce when the floor joists and underlying supports are not strong or stable enough to hold the weight of the flooring above. As a result, the floor structure shifts downward slightly under the applied weight.

Other signs of bouncy floors include:

Rattling furniture
Tripping hazards
Creaking noises
Sagging areas of the floor
Drywall cracks on walls and ceilings
Sticking doors and windows

While bouncy floors may seem like a minor annoyance at first, they indicate potentially serious structural issues that will worsen over time without proper repair. Contact a crawl space repair professional like Bay Area Underpinning as soon as you notice these issues.

Why Your Home Has Bouncy Floors

To truly understand the problem of bouncy floors, it’s essential to explore the root causes. These issues often revolve around:

Over Spanned Joists: The joists that support the floor above your crawl space can become over spanned if they are spaced too far apart or are excessively long for their depth. This improper spacing causes the joists to flex or bounce more than they should.
Inadequate Support: Similarly, inadequate support systems under your floor, such as poorly installed or shifted posts or beams, can fail to provide the necessary support, resulting in bouncy floors.
Weakened Joists: Over time, wooden floor joists can weaken due to various factors, including exposure to excessive moisture, wood rot, pest damage, or general wear and tear.
Heavy Loads: Excessive weight from furniture or appliances can cause joist overload.
Foundation Damage: Shifting or settling foundations strain supports.

In most cases with bouncy floors, the supporting crawl space structure needs repairs and added supports to stabilize the flooring above. Our professionals inspect for these potential causes when evaluating bouncy floors.

Can You Fix Bouncy Floors?

The good news is, yes, bouncy floors can be fixed.

However, it’s crucial to address this issue comprehensively rather than resorting to temporary solutions. DIY repairs and products from big-box stores do not fix the source of the damage, and they can be difficult and dangerous to install.

Correcting this issue requires identifying and addressing the underlying causes. We believe that a whole-home approach is necessary to ensure a lasting fix. This is where Bay Area Underpinning and our proprietary solutions come into play.

Our team performs in-depth inspections to determine why your floors are bouncing. Then, we develop custom solutions to stabilize and potentially lift the floors.

How to Fix Bouncy Floors

To effectively remedy sagging floors, the following comprehensive steps are essential:

Thorough Professional Crawl Space Evaluation

Our experienced professionals begin by conducting a thorough evaluation of the crawl space. This step is crucial in identifying the underlying issues causing floor sagging.

Identify Causes and Solutions

Our inspectors analyze the evaluation results to pinpoint the root causes of the damage. This precise diagnosis enables us to determine the most suitable and practical solutions.

Reinforce Floors with SettleStop™ IntelliJack™ Crawl Space Jacks

One of our key solutions is the application of our proprietary IntelliJack™ Crawl Space Jacks. These robust support posts are specifically engineered to provide substantial reinforcement to sagging floor joists.

Customization to Crawl Space Height

Each crawl space is unique, and to ensure a precise fit, our team customizes the IntelliJack™ Crawl Space Jacks to the specific height requirements of your crawl space.

Adjustment to Proper Height

Our experts precisely adjust the IntelliJack™ Crawl Space Jacks to the exact height needed to support and potentially raise and restore your floors back toward their original level.

Our exclusive IntelliJack™ Crawl Space Jacks are designed to excel in their performance, boasting an impressive allowable load capacity of more than 24,000 lbs. per support jack. This far surpasses industry standards and guarantees the structural integrity of your home for years to come.

Unlike basic post jacks available at local home stores, Bay Area Underpinning’s approach goes beyond surface-level fixes. We concentrate on addressing the root causes of floor sagging, rather than merely concealing the visible symptoms. Our holistic approach ensures that your home’s foundation is not just stabilized temporarily but fortified for the long-term. Choose the superior solution for your sagging floors—choose Bay Area Underpinning.

Why Address Bouncy Floors Now

Addressing bouncy floors promptly and comprehensively is essential for several reasons:

Safety: Severely bouncy floors increase risks of tripping and injury, but a structurally sound home is a safe home for you and your family.
Prevent Further Damage: Early intervention prevents minor issues from evolving into major, costly repairs.
Enhance Livability: Eliminate disruptive noises and movement for improved comfort and convenience.
Preserve Home Value: A stable, well-maintained foundation enhances your property’s value.

Bay Area Underpinning’s proprietary solutions are designed to outperform standard products. We’ve developed these products to specifically address the challenges of bouncy floors, providing you with the best possible outcome for your home.

Contact Bay Area Underpinning for Reliable Crawl Space Repair Solutions

Act now to address annoying, concerning bouncing floors, as the problems will only worsen over time. Trust Bay Area Underpinning to provide the solutions you need.

We have advanced diagnostics, custom-engineered solutions, and experienced professionals to stabilize your floors. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection and no-obligation repair estimate, and regain peace of mind. We promise to be by your side every step of the way.

FAQs

Can I fix bouncy floors on my own?

While some minor home repairs may be DIY-friendly, addressing structural problems requires professional expertise to ensure lasting results. Your crawl space may be a dangerous area, but professionals with the right experience, protective gear, and solutions will install the best, lasting repairs for your home. Contact Bay Area Underpinning for a free inspection and estimate.

How much does bouncy floor repair cost?

The total cost for addressing your specific issue hinges on the extent of the damage, the dimensions of the installation area, and the solution you opt for. Our team at Bay Area Underpinning understands the importance of transparency in pricing. That’s why we offer a free inspection, no-obligation repair estimate, and various financing options.

How long does it take to fix bouncy floors?

The project duration varies depending on the degree of the damage, but our experts work efficiently to minimize disruption and complete the job promptly. We’ll provide you with a detailed timeline during a free inspection appointment.