The Problem: Floor Settlement Caused a Gap Near the Sliding Door
The homeowners in Shoreham, NY noticed a problem around a sliding door. The floor in the affected area appeared to have settled, creating separation and poor alignment near the door.
During our inspection, we observed that portions of the existing floor system appeared to have dropped. The settlement affected the area around the spandrel beam directly below the sliding door.
When part of a floor system settles, it can affect more than just the appearance of the floor. Changes in elevation can place stress on the framing and create gaps or alignment problems around doors and other openings.
FEMA guidance also recognizes floor settlement, foundation movement and other structural changes as conditions that may need to be evaluated during an inspection.
For this Shoreham property, the goal was not simply to close the gap at the sliding door. The more important goal was to improve support under the affected floor system and provide a more stable bearing point.
The Solution: Controlled Floor Lifting and New Structural Support
Zavza Seal developed a plan to stabilize the affected floor area and provide additional structural support.
Because the existing structure had already settled, the work needed to be performed carefully. Raising a settled floor too quickly can place unnecessary stress on the existing framing and finishes.
Our team used a controlled approach that included several steps.
1. Carefully Jacking the Affected Floor
We began by carefully phasing the jacking of the affected floor areas.
The purpose was to gradually improve the floor elevation and reduce the separation around the sliding door.
The lifting was performed slowly and on a best-efforts basis. The goal was to make the necessary adjustment while limiting stress on the existing structure and surrounding finishes.
2. Preparing for a New Footing
Once the affected area was prepared, we excavated as needed to create a location for a new reinforced footing.
A proper bearing surface is important when adding structural support. The new support needed a stable base capable of carrying the load transferred from the floor system.
3. Installing a 16-Inch Sonotube Footing
Our team installed an approximately 16-inch diameter Sonotube footing and filled it with 4,000 PSI concrete.
The concrete footing created a new, stable bearing point for the supplemental structural support.
Concrete strength is commonly specified by its compressive strength in PSI. For reference, the American Cement Association explains that concrete strength specifications are measured at a designated curing period, commonly 28 days.
4. Adding a New 6×6 Structural Support Post
After the new footing had cured, we installed a 6×6 structural support post.
The new post was positioned to provide additional support to the floor system above and help stabilize the affected area.
This gave the floor framing a new bearing point rather than relying only on the existing support arrangement.
5. Adjusting the Existing Support System
We also inspected the existing support system and made adjustments to the wedges and shims where needed.
These adjustments helped improve contact between the existing support framing and the floor joists.
This step was important because adding a new post alone does not address every part of a settled floor system. The existing framing and connections also need to work together properly.
6. Cleaning the Work Area
After the structural work was completed, we cleaned the work area and removed construction debris.
The Result: Improved Support for the Settled Floor Area
The completed work provided the affected floor system with supplemental structural support and a new concrete bearing point.
The controlled lifting process also helped improve the floor elevation and reduce the gap around the sliding door.
As with most structural settlement correction work, exact leveling cannot always be guaranteed. Existing structures can respond differently to lifting and adjustment, particularly when settlement has developed over time.
Our approach focused on making controlled improvements while minimizing unnecessary stress to the existing structure.
Why Floor Settlement Should Not Be Ignored?
A gap around a sliding door may seem like a small issue, but changes in floor elevation can sometimes point to movement within the supporting structure.
Homeowners should pay attention to signs such as:
- Floors that appear uneven or have changed elevation
- Gaps developing around doors or windows
- Doors that become difficult to open or close
- Separation between structural components
- Sagging or movement in a floor
- Cracks that appear alongside other signs of settlement
- Changes around existing support posts or beams
These signs do not automatically mean that a home has a serious structural problem. However, they are worth having evaluated when they are new, worsening or occurring together. FEMA inspection guidance specifically includes uneven or cracked floors, gaps and other signs of structural movement among conditions that may require further evaluation.
Floor Stabilization in Shoreham, NY
This Shoreham project shows why floor settlement repair should focus on the underlying support system, not just the visible symptom.
At Zavza Seal, our team works on structural repair projects throughout Long Island, including Shoreham and surrounding Suffolk County communities. Depending on the condition of the property, solutions may include supplemental posts, new footings, floor stabilization, foundation repair and other structural improvements.
Every property is different. The appropriate repair depends on the condition of the existing structure, the cause of the movement and the available bearing conditions.
If you have noticed a sagging floor, new gaps around doors or other signs of settlement, contact Zavza Seal to schedule an evaluation.