Is it normal for the floor to shake?

Floor vibrations are generally related to human activity, vibrating machinery and external forces. Walking is the most common source of floor vibrations and more than anything is simply considered a nuisance.

How much floor vibration is normal?





Typical walking speed is 1.25 to 1.5 Hz, or steps per second. Floor frequencies should be kept well above the range of 2.5 to 3 Hz, the second harmonic for walking frequencies.

How do you deal with floor vibrations?

Moving heavy pieces of furniture to another part of a room may stabilize a floor and eliminate vibrations. Special rubber cups that fit onto the legs of a washer and dryer may reduce floor vibrations in a laundry room and adjoining rooms.

Why does my house feel like it’s vibrating?

Vibrations must be caused by a source of energy. Your home has at least some of these types intentionally coming in: Electrical Utility. Water Pressure.

Should I be concerned about bouncy floors?

Spongy and bouncy floors generally are of little concern unless the cause relates to a serious structural issue. As homeowners we quickly get used to a floor that has a little bouncy or spring to it as we walk across it and seldom give any thought to whether there is a problem.

Can floors collapse?





A floor collapse injury can occur at a construction site if the floor is made heavier than the support beams that hold it up. Many floor collapses occur when workers begin to pour the concrete that forms the floor.

Can vibrations damage a house?

Construction vibrations are a known nuisance and can damage existing structures if they are not properly monitored and accounted for. As a proactive means to mitigate vibration damage claims, nearby buildings should be inspected prior to and after construction and monitored during construction.

Is it normal for a 4 story building to shake?

“Normal” building movement would only be due to wind or earthquake. Movement due to normal wind would only be slightly apparent to very sensitive individuals in very tall buildings, as in dozens of floors. Most people would notice slight wind movement in very high winds or minor earthquakes, but nothing alarming.

Can you feel buildings sway?

Most skyscrapers can easily move several feet in either direction, like a swaying tree, without damaging their structural integrity. The main problem with this horizontal movement is how it affects the people inside. If the building moves a substantial horizontal distance, the occupants will definitely feel it.

Why does my floor bounce when I walk on it?



“Even structurally sound, code-compliant new floors can deflect, or flex, more than feels comfortable,” per This Old House. As a result of this flex, or slight movement of the floor, it makes the surface feel bouncy when you walk on it, which can be unsettling.

What does it mean if your floor is bouncy?

If the joists or columns are spaced too far apart, the joists will sag and bounce. Home remodeling projects, such as adding an addition, installing new appliances, granite countertops or large furniture pieces can add extra weight and stress to the floor joists– leading to bouncy floors. Don’t take short cuts!

Why does my floor feel spongy?

If the floor feels springy and spongy when you walk, the subfloor might not be completely attached. Another reason for a soft floor could be from overextended joists; meaning the joists holding the house up are too long and not supported enough.

Why is my wooden floor bouncy?



A wood or laminate floor can only bounce when there is a gap between the underside of the plank and the sub-floor. When weight is applied to the flooring, it moves downward because it is not supported, causing the bounce.

How much does it cost to fix sagging floors?

The typical costs for repairing sagging floors start at $1000 and can go up to $10,000, with the average rate being around $300 per square foot. But this can vary depending on the extent of the damage and materials needed to get the job done.

How do you test floor deflection?

Some take a string and nail it to the bottom of a floor joist, and let it hang to the floor. Then a quarter inch of the string is cut off at the bottom. Next, bags of thin set and tile are put on the floor to give it some weight. If the string touches the floor you know you have too much deflection.

Is floor deflection normal?

The L/360 standard means that the floor should not deflect more than the “span” divided by 360. If the span of the joists is 10 feet (between supports), then the deflection should not be more than 1/3″ between the center and the end. Frequently, there is misunderstanding regarding deflection between joists.

How do you fix floor deflection?



4 Ways to Stop the Bounce

  1. Sistering. Doubling the thickness of joists by adding material to their sides increases strength and stiffness. …
  2. Stiffening the underside. When a joist deflects, its bottom edge stretches slightly. …
  3. Adding mid-span blocking. …
  4. Adding a beam.