What would you do here?

[Millsy 82]

Just been out to price a job and found her now ex partner has had a go at installing the system his self. He has made a right mess of the joists by notching massive chunks out of the bottom! 1 of which there is only 2" of joist left over about 10" width.

Unfortunately above is the bathroom so if joists need replacing then bathroom out and floor up. Luckily the bathroom is ancient and she was hoping to get rid of it sooner rather than later (might be very soon!)

Is there another way around repairing these joists or am I right in thinking they need replacing? What can I do with the wires? Can they be notched in the top? I always thought that they had to be drilled through the middle? The plumbing side is easy enough as only 3 pipes run through the joists (apart from the speed fit which will be ripped out straight away!)

 

[stevetheplumber]

not sure regarding building regs but you could bolt another joist to that one

 

[Millsy 82]

not sure regarding building regs but you could bolt another joist to that one

Unfortunately it's not just 1 that is the worst but 4 others have 2x2" cut out the bottom at least and 1/1/4 pipe and 2 15mm pipes running through them.

It's a really rough job and I feel sorry for her as all she wanted was heating. Her ex was also going to put the boiler so it would of had to go out the wall then poke up through a flat roof directly under a window.

 

[plumben]

Id replace the joists just had to replace a whole floor 15joists on a job because of this, its not worth putting your name to otherwise,

failing that joist hangers each end and bolt together old and new joist and noggin up

 

[bigads28]

I'd use wooden joists bolted to the old ones for a couple feet either side or as much as possible. If you want to really go to town steel plates.

 

[Toxic Ted]

Steel flitch plates would give better strength.

 

[hammers4spanner]

This is what winds me up a tradesman would be liable for that bodge however diy muppetts get away Scott free for installing carp like this

 

[Best]

Wires are better removed & redone, rather than notching them into joists. I have seen builders running a couple of saw cuts through most of a new joists depth before fitting it in place to allow one little wire to fit.

 

[Mike Jackson]

I wouldn't touch anything without a structural engineers report. If you attempt a repair and it doesn't hold you may be held liable.

 

[SimonG]

MJ's right. Its a cover your backside culture.

 

[Toxic Ted]

I wouldn't touch anything without a structural engineers report. If you attempt a repair and it doesn't hold you may be held liable.

Good point Mike.

 

[Ermintrude]

You could just replace joists by inserting new joists between existing ones, you will need to ensure 100mm bearing at either end in wall. Just put new joists at centres same as old ones c24 though. Use acro to jack them up and pack under then with slates.
No engineer required you've exceeded current spec and have done in accordance with building regs. Get a building notice and have building control sign it off. Much more use in court than engineer who's slipper than a frog

 

[lame plumber]

you'll never get full strength back just using plates or sections bolted on, I only know having seen them fail in a spectacular manner, take Mike's advice

 

[Leo21]

Run away very fast. Each to there own trades.

 

[Nostrum]

Yep, I'd walk away, or notch the joists above, be alright.

 

[Millsy 82]

Thanks for the advice. Its not something I will do myself but what I dont want to do is say to here you can get away with doing this or that and then someone else going in and saying opposite.

I will recommend she gets the lot replaced especially as the bath is up in the room above. It may mean I lose another job but its not worth getting a bad name over 1 job.

 

[oz-plumber]

I wouldn't go as far as saying you would lose the job.

I would infer that I am able to do the plumbing but I am not able to do the structural repairs.

If you know someone that can do the structural repairs, then get them in, so that you can still do the plumbing work.

You then may be able to charge for you time than just walk away from the job.