wrote in message
ups.com...
The floor joists in our 1992 house (new to us) was notched more than
50% in 2 places (to install the A/C ducts) & drilled in another area to
install several small copper pipes.

1. Is this a problem that needs to be repaired? (Even though there is
no evidence in the home that it is causing a problem & the places where
the joists were notched are not supporting any heavy pieces of
furniture.)

Some support can't hurt. It may never be a problem, but with simple
support, it can prevent it from being one in another 20 or 50 or 100 years.
There are limits on what you can cut out and be code compliant, as well as
where it can be cut. I'm not sure of what the code is though so find out
for sure.


2. Can I do this repair myself?

- I have an idea of what needs to be done (i.e., scrape out a flat
spot, pour concrete foundation, get 2 concrete cinderblocks [or
concrete blocks designed specifically for this job], then install 2
jacks for each cut out. But what type of jacks? and how tight should
the jacks be against the floor joists to give it enough support?

That can work. The jacks must be a mechanical type, like a screw jack.
Bottle jacks can leak over time and then you have no support. Since you
have no sag yet, they should be snug, not lifting anything at all. The base
must be solid so it does not sink, thus not giving any support.

Only a professional with proper credentials can say what "must" be done but
some support is better than no support. As long as you don't lift and stress
anything you can do no damage.