A system of unfinished ceiling joists might look like this.
Whether you are expanding your living space or repairing an existing problem area, the need may arise when you have to add or re-install a ceiling joist in your central living area. Such a task begins by clearing out that part of the old ceiling so that a new board can be installed. If you are adding to your living area or changing the structural arrangement of the , be sure to have the new work designed or approved by a qualified builder or architect.
Instructions
1. Clear the area where the joist will be attached to head plates. Make sure the wood surfaces are void of all nails, plaster or any extraneous material.
2. Measure the space between the two walls to 1/16th of an inch. This will be the length of the new ceiling joist.
3. Examine the framing lumber to make sure it is not twisted or bowed. Do this by holding one end of the board at eye level, closing one eye and sighting down the length of the board. If the plank is badly bowed or twisted, find a piece of straight lumber.
4. Prepare the surface box header. Clear any nails or extraneous material from the surface box header with a pry bar.
5. Cut one end of the board with a circular saw and speed square. Mark your measurement and make the other end cut.
6. Set the joist in place. Place a few cedar shims, nails, joist hanger and hammer in your tool belt and put the joist into place with the help of an assistant. If your measurements are accurate and if the walls are square, the joist will slide into place with enough tension to hold the board in place. If the board is too long, take it down and plane off a very small slice; if it is too short, place a shim at one or both ends to make the joist fit.
7. Attach a joist hanger to each end of the joist with #12 or #16 common nails. The joist hanger wraps around the bottom and two sides of the joist at the very point where the end of the joist meets the face of the box plate. Drive in framing nails at angles so they pass through the joist, the face plate and the metal joist hanger, which has predrilled holes for the nails.
Tags: joist hanger, ceiling joist, ceiling joists, extraneous material, , into place