Phoenix Business
Group Wood FloorsA simple pocket knife and a 4-foot level can be used to demonstrate earthquake damage to wood floors. Run the level along the floor. Lift one edge of the leves as needed to make it level. If you can slide a closed pocket knife under the level and the bubble is still between the lines, you probably have earthquake damage. Damage to wood floors on the first floor is usually most evident near the hearth. Other humps may be found in hardwood floors over girders. Sags may be present where girders have separated from foundation walls. Floors squeak when the subfloor nailing to the joists becomes loose. If your house was thrown up in the air like a pizza when the earthquake hit it, this may explain why some of your floors squeak. The floor will need to be resecured to the joists by renailing or screwing. Generally, the second floor damage will be worse than the damage to the ground floor. Sloped floors on the second floor may also indicate that the walls are off plumb. The deflection of the walls and the deflection of the floors are frequently related. Back to the Home page. [ Real Property ]
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