Sagging Floor in Cincinnati, Ohio

Challenge

A homeowner in Cincinnati noticed that a section of their kitchen floor felt uneven and had begun to sag. The most visible sign was the gap that had opened between the tiled floor and the base of the cabinets, large enough to notice at a glance. Upon inspection, we found that the root cause was inadequate support in the crawl space beneath this area. Over time, the existing wood supports had weakened and settled, leaving the floors above without the structural stability they needed.

Solution

To permanently stabilize the floors, we installed three SmartJack posts and a heavy-duty steel main beam along the right side of the crawl space. In addition, we encapsulated the space with SilverGlo insulation panels and a CleanSpace vapor barrier to protect against moisture, mold, and future wood deterioration.

How SmartJack Posts Work

SmartJacks are engineered steel support columns designed specifically for crawl space applications. Unlike traditional wood posts or masonry piers, which can rot, settle, or shift with changes in soil conditions, SmartJacks are adjustable and built to last.

• Installation Process:

  1. A solid base of engineered fill and a pre-cast concrete footing is prepared in the crawl space to create a stable foundation that won’t sink into the soil.

  2. The SmartJack steel post is cut to the precise height needed for the space.

  3. Each post is positioned beneath the new steel main beam and securely fastened.

  4. The top of the SmartJack is tightened using a threaded adjustment system, which allows us to lift the sagging floor sections back toward their original position.

• Why They Work:
  SmartJacks can support over 60,000 pounds per post. Because they are fully adjustable, they can be fine-tuned over time if future adjustments are ever needed. Unlike temporary jack posts from a hardware store, these are a permanent structural solution.

The Role of the Steel Main Beam

The steel main beam distributes the weight of the floors and walls above evenly across the SmartJack system. In this Cincinnati home, the original wooden supports had begun to weaken, which allowed the floors to sink. By installing a steel I-beam, we created a rigid support that won’t warp, bow, or rot over time. This combination ensures that the load from the floors above is fully supported and that the SmartJacks can do their job effectively.

The Result

After the installation, the sagging floors were lifted back into place, closing the visible gap between the cabinets and the tile. More importantly, the homeowner now has peace of mind knowing that the floors are permanently stabilized. With the crawl space encapsulated, the home is also more energy-efficient, healthier, and better protected from future damage.