Replace floor joists in Edwardian bay

[Bruha33]

Our 1910 mid terrace with a single bay is suffering from a sunken floor in the bay. The floor is relatively flat up to the edge of the bay from where it drops about 35mm.

We are aware this is due to rot from water ingress in the bay and air bricks below the external ground level, all of which is being rectified.

I would like some advice on replacing the joists etc and can’t find much detail for our particular situation.

The floor joists are 4x2 and run side to side on the ground floor as opposed to front to rear. Does this mean for the bay this would be a separate frame that drops in and is fixed into the main floor joist and rests on the foundation around the front on the bay?

Any info or diagrams would be appreciated.

No photos at present as we are yet to take up the laminate (which was laid on top of a carpet) and the floorboards running front to back makes it quite a pain.

 

[mrrusty]

The only way to know is to open it up. Once you have removed the floor you'll be able to see what needs doing. It might be a like for like replacement, or it might be appropriate to install new dwarf walls, wall plates etc. You can't assume what was done in 1910 was superb quality - some of the build techniques back then could be just as dodgy as some today. 4x2 is very small, so there must be mid-room support or you'd have a trampoline.

Be careful lifting the floor if you don't know where existing services are. There may be water, gas, leccy under there!