Floor Joist cut by Builder - Need advice

Last Updated:
Jul 15th, 2021 1:40 pm

Tags:

SCORE
+1
1
0

Reply to ThreadReply

Search this thread

Search this thread

Jul 14th, 2021 10:36 pm

1xhakka_azn [OP]: Jr. Member; Aug 22, 2006; 177 posts; 35 upvotes; Thornhill

Jul 14th, 2021 10:36 pm

Floor Joist cut by Builder - Need advice

Hoping someone here with knowledge of Ontario's building code and safety can comment on what to do in our situation. We purchased a new home from builder and we noticed that the 2nd floor was not getting any air flow (heat/cool). Upon inspection, the builder noticed that the HVAC vent leading to the second floor was never connected to the main furnace stack in the basement and as a result, that's why we weren't getting any air upstairs.

To fix this issue, they cut one of the main floor joists in order to be able to make the connection. Can anyone comment what we can do in this situation? Is there a building code thats being broken by builder here or is this something we can contact Tarion regarding? They said no additional reinforcement/support was needed but I take that with a grain of sale considering the amount of the floor joist they cut.

Any help and insight would be greatly appreciated!

Images

14 replies

Jul 14th, 2021 11:00 pm

61three: Jr. Member; Dec 20, 2014; 124 posts; 159 upvotes; Wpg

Jul 14th, 2021 11:00 pm

MB, but should be the same. It's hard to see from your pics, but if that piece of I joist is sitting right above the I beam, you should be ok since it's just a squash block. It just keeps the joists from going wonky vertically and adds some support to the floor above. You should see the squash blocks above the I beam between other joists too.

FWIW I argued for squash blocks in a new build, they wouldn't put them in even though manufacturers recommend it.

Jul 14th, 2021 11:01 pm

61three: Jr. Member; Dec 20, 2014; 124 posts; 159 upvotes; Wpg

Jul 14th, 2021 11:01 pm

Should've said it's a lousy hack job by HVAC folks...they had more than enough space to fit a 5-6" pipe in there.

+1

Jul 15th, 2021 8:09 am

GoodFellaz: Deal Fanatic; Jun 24, 2015; 7875 posts; 2631 upvotes; 0 downvotes

Jul 15th, 2021 8:09 am

looks like they cut the I beam but since its sitting on the metal beam it should be more than sufficient to carry the load. I'm not an engineer but I think your okay

Supermarket worker at Fortino's
I'm Not a Wise Guy but more of a Good Fella~!
Drive an Escalade

Jul 15th, 2021 8:19 am

projectman44: Sr. Member; Jun 1, 2017; 905 posts; 838 upvotes; Mississauga

Jul 15th, 2021 8:19 am

I'm actually surprised they took the time to cut out the opening and not just hammer the blocking out altogether.
This is pretty common for HVAC installations.

Unless you have a concentrated point load coming down directly over that opening (which i doubt as there arent any squash blocks), it's not a big deal.

Jul 15th, 2021 8:56 am

badass: Deal Addict; Dec 24, 2007; 1981 posts; 505 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 15th, 2021 8:56 am

At least they put some aluminum tape to hold it together!

Most jobs are done by piece (time limit per house)work and the connectors are just pushed in place. Metal screws or tape is usually not used and they move on to the next job.

Its not uncommon things get overlooked.

Enjoy your new home.

Cheers!

Last edited by badass on Jul 15th, 2021 1:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Thread started in 2016 - 1927 fully gutted and renovated 2 storey detached home in the big T.O. - small projects still in progress.

RFD priceless!

Jul 15th, 2021 9:44 am

dottawat: Sr. Member; Feb 26, 2019; 625 posts; 718 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 15th, 2021 9:44 am

It’s just blocking that they have cut, not a floor joist. If that was done mid span on a floor joist you would be correct to worry. In this case it’s fine, albeit a little sloppy.

Jul 15th, 2021 9:58 am

jacquesstrap: Deal Addict; Nov 9, 2008; 1852 posts; 877 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 15th, 2021 9:58 am

As others have said, the joist appears to be running along a steel beam. You've got nothing to worry about, but yes it was sloppy

Jul 15th, 2021 10:45 am

lamin: Deal Addict; Jan 21, 2011; 1287 posts; 685 upvotes; GTA

Jul 15th, 2021 10:45 am

It might be a problem if there is a post above. They normally use 2 x 6 to transfer the load to the beam, I am wondering if your builder is using piece of joint instead.

It does look like blocking is the intended use though.

+1

Jul 15th, 2021 11:15 am

networksend: Deal Addict; Nov 24, 2015; 1662 posts; 1437 upvotes; Durham Region

Jul 15th, 2021 11:15 am

badass wrote: ↑ At least they put some aluminum tape to hold it together!

Most jobs are done by piece (time limit per house)work and the connectors are just pushed in place. Metal screws or tape is usually not used and they move on to the next job.

It not uncommon some things are overlooked.

Enjoy your new home.

Cheers!

I was wondering if all duct installers are just lazy. Like how easy is it to tape all the joints with the aluminum tape before the walls are closed off so air isn’t leaking into the wall cavity vs getting where it needs to go (like upstairs)

+2

Jul 15th, 2021 11:22 am

GoodFellaz: Deal Fanatic; Jun 24, 2015; 7875 posts; 2631 upvotes; 0 downvotes

Jul 15th, 2021 11:22 am

if u want duct installers to do a good job, then you have to do a custom build home instead of a pre-fab mass produced home

Supermarket worker at Fortino's
I'm Not a Wise Guy but more of a Good Fella~!
Drive an Escalade

+2

Jul 15th, 2021 1:12 pm

StatsGuy: Deal Fanatic; Dec 20, 2018; 8223 posts; 7599 upvotes

Jul 15th, 2021 1:12 pm

networksend wrote: ↑ I was wondering if all duct installers are just lazy. Like how easy is it to tape all the joints with the aluminum tape before the walls are closed off so air isn’t leaking into the wall cavity vs getting where it needs to go (like upstairs)

It's building code requirement that ducts have to be sealed since 2012 I believe (in Ontario)

Jul 15th, 2021 1:14 pm

StatsGuy: Deal Fanatic; Dec 20, 2018; 8223 posts; 7599 upvotes

Jul 15th, 2021 1:14 pm

GoodFellaz wrote: ↑ if u want duct installers to do a good job, then you have to do a custom build home instead of a pre-fab mass produced home

Not really, custom home is not necessarily different. It's still all just subtrades and whoever is available. Lots is crap work in custom homes too, and not like they draw from different pool of workers.

It'll be dependent on the architect/PM , how much willing to pay and who you get. Not all that different from a bigger builder/developer

+1

Jul 15th, 2021 1:30 pm

raptormaniac: Member; Mar 24, 2009; 221 posts; 180 upvotes; KW

Jul 15th, 2021 1:30 pm

1xhakka_azn wrote: ↑Hoping someone here with knowledge of Ontario's building code and safety can comment on what to do in our situation. We purchased a new home from builder and we noticed that the 2nd floor was not getting any air flow (heat/cool). Upon inspection, the builder noticed that the HVAC vent leading to the second floor was never connected to the main furnace stack in the basement and as a result, that's why we weren't getting any air upstairs.

To fix this issue, they cut one of the main floor joists in order to be able to make the connection. Can anyone comment what we can do in this situation? Is there a building code thats being broken by builder here or is this something we can contact Tarion regarding? They said no additional reinforcement/support was needed but I take that with a grain of sale considering the amount of the floor joist they cut.

Any help and insight would be greatly appreciated!

Idk what you think you know about construction but it amounts to absolutely nothing……LOL.

+1

Jul 15th, 2021 1:40 pm

chimaican: Deal Expert; Oct 23, 2008; 17735 posts; 15822 upvotes; GTA, ON

Jul 15th, 2021 1:40 pm

networksend wrote: ↑ I was wondering if all duct installers are just lazy. Like how easy is it to tape all the joints with the aluminum tape before the walls are closed off so air isn’t leaking into the wall cavity vs getting where it needs to go (like upstairs)

Sometimes it comes down to whether one takes pride from their work or not. My friend is an electrician and he sees sloppy work from others all the time. He says they don't take the time to make things neat.

Tis banana is IRIE 😎

10% off is cold, 50% off is warm, 75% off is hot, but FREE IS RFD!

Reply to Thread

Top

Thread Information

There is currently 1 user viewing this thread. (0 members and 1 guest)