The Problem:

A homeowner in Huntington, NY contacted Zavza Seal after noticing a soft and bouncy bathroom floor. Over time, the floor had started to feel unstable, especially near the center of the room. There were also visible cracks and notches in the floor joists below the bathroom, which raised concerns about long term safety.

After inspection, our team found several structural issues:

• Floor joists were over-spanned, causing excessive bounce and deflection
• Multiple joists were notched at the bearing points, reducing their strength
• Some joists were cracked and split
• The existing bathroom subfloor had water damage and needed to be removed for proper access

These issues made the bathroom floor unsafe and not suitable for new finishes without structural correction.

The Solution:

Zavza Seal designed a step by step code-compliant structural repair plan to restore strength, safety, and long term performance to the bathroom floor system.

Mobilization and Protection

Our crew mobilized all labor, tools, and materials needed for the project. We protected nearby finishes, cabinetry, and fixtures and maintained a clean and safe work area throughout the job. Temporary shoring was installed to safely support the floor during structural repairs.

Layout and Structural Verification

We field verified the joist spacing, bearing conditions, and all visible notches and cracks. A mid-span support line was carefully laid out at the 5 foot mark across the room to reduce floor bounce and improve stiffness.

Mid-Span Beam Installation

We installed one continuous mid-span spandrel beam at the 5 foot location to cut the effective joist span in half. The beam was installed level and tight to the underside of the existing joists.

• Built-up structural lumber was used and properly fastened
• New vertical support posts were installed beneath the beam
• Concrete bearing pads were added under each post to safely transfer loads to the ground

This upgrade significantly improved the strength of the floor system.

Joist Reinforcement with Simpson Strong-Tie Hardware

Where joists had been notched at bearing locations, we reinforced them using Simpson Strong-Tie structural connectors. All connectors were installed using manufacturer approved fasteners to restore structural continuity and reduce the risk of future failure.

Any areas with poor bearing contact were corrected using approved structural shimming and bearing blocks.

Cracked Joist Repair Using Structural Epoxy

Cracked and split joists were repaired using a high strength wood restorer epoxy system.

• Damaged wood fibers were cleaned and prepared
• Epoxy was worked deep into the cracks to consolidate the wood
• Proper cure time was allowed before loading the floor

All joists were structurally sound after repair. No full joist replacement was required.

Bathroom Floor Demo and Subfloor Replacement

To access the framing, we removed the existing bathroom floor and subfloor in a 4 foot by 8 foot area.

• Tile, underlayment, and damaged subfloor were carefully removed
• All debris was bagged and disposed of off-site
• New 3/4 inch tongue and groove plywood subfloor was installed
• Panels were properly oriented, fastened, and left flush and secure

The new subfloor was left ready for future tile or finish installation.

Final Inspection and Cleanup

We rechecked the entire floor system to confirm improved stiffness and stability. All supports were plumb, tight, and properly fastened. Temporary shoring was removed, and the job site was left broom clean.

The Result:

The bathroom floor in this Huntington, NY home is now solid, safe, and structurally sound. Floor bounce was eliminated, cracked joists were reinforced, and the new subfloor provides a strong base for future finishes.

The homeowner now has peace of mind knowing the structure beneath their bathroom is built to last.

Why This Matters for Long Island Homes?

Older homes in Huntington and across Long Island often have over-spanned or notched joists, especially in bathrooms where plumbing modifications were made over time. Without proper reinforcement, these issues can lead to floor failure, tile cracking, and safety hazards.

Professional structural repair ensures long term performance and protects your home value.