Sagging floor repair in Hattiesburg
A floor that dips or bounces is almost always a problem in the crawl space below it. Here's what's usually behind it and how it's fixed.
In a pier-and-beam house, the subfloor sits on joists, the joists sit on beams, and the beams sit on piers and the foundation walls. A weak link anywhere in that chain shows up upstairs as a soft spot, a slope or a floor that shakes the china cabinet when you walk past.
What causes sagging floors in Pine Belt homes?
- Moisture. Years of damp crawl space air soften joists, sill plates and subfloor, especially around tubs, toilets and the kitchen sink.
- Long spans. Older houses often have piers set far apart or beams that are small for the load they carry.
- Settling piers. Brick or block piers on shallow footings can sink or lean on soft, wet soil.
- Old alterations. Joists notched or cut for plumbing and ductwork decades ago.
- Insects. Termite or beetle damage that isn't obvious until the floor moves.
How is it fixed from below?
- Supplemental piers or adjustable steel supports to shorten the span under a beam
- Sistering new lumber alongside cracked, rotted or undersized joists
- A new or doubled beam under a sagging section
- Replacing rotted sill plates and subfloor where moisture has done its work
Floors that have sagged for years are usually raised slowly. Jacking them up fast can crack plaster, drywall and tile. The moisture that caused the damage should be fixed at the same time, or the new wood will face the same conditions.
Licenses and permits
Structural work on an existing Mississippi home that costs more than $10,000 requires a residential remodeler license from the State Board of Contractors. Inside Hattiesburg, plans for most residential permits must include construction details, and the city expects work to be inspected before it's covered. Some jobs also call for an engineer. Ask the company what yours needs.
Warning signs
- Soft or springy spots, especially near bathrooms
- Doors that stick or swing on their own
- Gaps opening under baseboards
- New cracks in tile, plaster or drywall over doors
Pricing comes from the crawl space company after someone has been under the house with a flashlight and a tape measure. We don't quote prices, and a phone estimate before an inspection is only a ballpark.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can a sagging floor be fixed without tearing it up?
Usually. Most floor support is done from the crawl space with added piers, beams or sistered joists. Badly rotted subfloor may need some work from above.
Will my floor be perfectly level afterward?
Not always. Floors in older homes are often raised gradually and supported where they are, rather than forced back to level all at once. Ask the company what's realistic.
Related services
- Crawl space encapsulation
- Vapor barrier replacement
- Moisture control and dehumidifiers
- Crawl space repair
More background: Hattiesburg crawl space guide.
Damp smell, sweating ducts or a floor that gives underfoot?
Call and get connected with a crawl space company that works in Hattiesburg and the Pine Belt.