Any Construction Experts , Home Builders

[cosgig]

Easy…there’s no headers above the windows. Lumber need to be standing up to act as a structural header, and those double top plates are doing nothing. Of course, those windows are too big to not have a header above them of at least a 2x8, which of course there is no room for. At this point, it needs to be supported with a steel lentil, the rim joist is not going to cut it.

 

[Bee1971]

There are two Rim Joists above the windows that come off the concrete foundation on the outside of floor joists - I would assume they act like Headers ?

Thats why the floor joists are attached above the windows with metal joist hangars

 

[Richard Cranium]

I had the same problem. Without pics it sounds like the “builder” didn’t use headers above the windows.

Sounds like? There are no headers above the windows, just a single “two by” on the flat.

 

[Jesse6869]

You could frame that your self and fix it. I would thats a problem. Future problem.

 

[Bee1971]

You could frame that your self and fix it. I would thats a problem. Future problem.

By supporting the floor joists with a temporary wall built out of 2 X 6 s then removing ?

 

[Bee1971]

"steel lentil, the rim joist is not going to cut it."

No pun intended

I read about the steel lentil terminology

 

[Jesse6869]

Yes then frame in your header adding your supports. Simple really but remember also if you have siding or stucco on exterior. The siding you can pull it off. Or if its stucco yo may need to patch it In.

 

[Richard Davis]

Yikes! No way that was ever permitted or inspected.

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

Run a long straight edge under the bottom of the adjoining joists into the one over the window to see if has end sag. Do it from both ways to be sure.
Then you will know if the joists over the windows are low.
Should be able to jack up the low ones pretty easily

 

[moparwacko]

Sorry,
I see lots of correction work in your future. That is not a proper header, not oriented correctly, and not supporting any weight. You're going to have to jack that and install proper headers. If you aren't comfortable, get yourself a reputable Carpenter as this needs to be fixed. I don't know where your locale is, but that doesn't meet code anywhere.
And yes, I was a framer for over 10 years before switching careers.
Probably way past time limits, but that builder should be liable.

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

Looking at it more and those floor joists go into hangers on a structural end cap but that is a long span from
the far left window to far right one.
Looks like over the windows they took what we call here corners and turned them sideways which is not structural.

 

[QuickBpBp]

Those windows are leaking as this is all water damage and that is not a header above the windows...

 

[Jesse6869]

Then there’s flashing involved so now you will need to pull whatever is around window exterior and add proper flashing.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Where’s that newly retired framer to add his input here?

 

[Bee1971]

Run a long straight edge under the bottom of the adjoining joists into the one over the window to see if has end sag. Do it from both ways to be sure.
Then you will know if the joists over the windows are low.
Should be able to jack up the low ones pretty easily

They are not low over the windows

And if anyone wants to verify that with me , lets talk , or maybe I need to make a few phones calls or emails

Every floor joist on that side of the basement is level with the ones that run directly over the concrete foundation in the far left corner , and with the opposite corner where the framing is

I checked that a few days ago already with a 6’ Box Level

So how do you correct 2 X 10 floor joists over the windows that are already level with the other floor joists across the entire length of the whole basement

Obviously something is wrong , and that’s why I was asking for advice

Now it’s time for second and third opinions other then my eyes and measurements

 

[Bee1971]

Looking at it more and those floor joists go into hangers on a structural end cap but that is a long span from
the far left window to far right one.
Looks like over the windows they took what we call here corners and turned them sideways which is not structural.

Structural End Cap - Then it was doubled over those two windows where the hangars are on the floor joists

 

[moparwacko]

Where’s that newly retired framer to add his input here?

Heard he's working on a jigsaw puzzle.
@Kern Dog
He would know the requirements for what size header, but I'm thinking big if this is a 2 story it's supporting.

 

[Bee1971]

Structural End Caps

Rim Boards

Headers

"Hey Google"

 

[Kern Dog]

Look at the sandwich / shim job above and below the windows , once I removed the visqueen and insulation

Anyways

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Just a quick observation.
Having that wide of a span for the windows, with the weight of the floor, walls, furniture, roof and whatever else above it DEMANDS some type of solid header. The crappy sandwich job they did should have been immediately noticed by any competent inspector. This would never pass an inspection in California but then again, This state goes overboard on everything. I have seen substandard framing in houses and buildings that still stand today, despite being undersized, overspanned and/or rotten.
To do this right, you'd need a shorter window to make room for..... at the very least, a 4 x 8 #2 or better solid header.

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

Structural End Cap - Then it was doubled over those two windows where the hangars are on the floor joists

Ok I am on my computer now and can see the pictures better. The rim joist looks like a 2''x 10'' if that is what your floor joists are and is probably just a single ( I would have doubled it over the span of both windows ) but it is supported between the windows so the floor joists are probably not the problem.
What everyone thinks are headers are there only to nail the window and plywood to and the sheet rock on the inside so not structural but they have warped bad for some reason. Could be crappy wood or a moisture over time problem.
Edit: Or they could have been that way all along but covered by the paneling, just a cheap way to frame IMHO