What Are Crawl Space Jacks?
Crawl space jacks are adjustable steel support posts placed beneath beams, girders and floor framing to steady sagging, bouncy or uneven floors. These crawl space jack posts carry structural loads down to stable footings below as one piece of an engineered crawl space repair system.
Some floors rely on wood posts, masonry columns or other supports that can rot, settle or shift over time. Adjustable crawl space jacks replace or reinforce inadequate supports to restore reliable structural support in the crawl space.
Symptoms
Signs Crawl Space Support Is Needed
Problems with the beams, joists or supports in a crawl space usually show up in the floors and finishes above. Signs the floor system may need added structural support include:
- Sagging or pitched floors
- Bouncy or unlevel floors
- Gaps between floors and walls
- Cracks in drywall and interior finishes
- Doors or windows that bind
- Deteriorated support posts or framing: Rot, corrosion or other deterioration can reduce the ability of existing components to support the floor system.
- Settled or shifting piers and posts: Existing supports may settle or move, leaving beams and floor joists inadequately supported.
- Changes to building loads: Remodels, equipment or other added loads may require more support than the existing floor system provides.
These signs don’t necessarily mean more jack posts are needed. A structural evaluation can identify the cause of the movement and determine whether crawl space support jacks, framing repairs or a different solution is appropriate.
SmartJack® Capacity & Performance
Designed to Support Significant Structural Loads
Engineered Load Ratings
The SmartJack® system uses engineered steel components built to transfer loads from the beam or girder above to the supporting soils below. The assembled steel components have an allowable system capacity of 30 kips (30,000 pounds). Actual allowable loads for an installed system depend on the supporting soils, footing design and other site conditions.
System Capacity Depends on More Than the Jack Post
Support from Structure Down to Soil
A crawl space support system is only as effective as the ground supporting it. While SmartJack steel components are rated to a 30-kip allowable capacity, actual allowable loads can be limited by the bearing capacity of the underlying soil. Proper footing design helps distribute structural loads and reduce the potential for settlement.
Stabilization with the Ability to Make Controlled Adjustments
Adjustable Steel Support Posts
SmartJack support posts feature an adjustable connection that allows the system to be tightened during installation. Where conditions allow, controlled adjustments may also help improve sagging or uneven floor areas. The system can be readjusted later if additional correction is appropriate.
How Crawl Space Jack Installation Works
Why Choose SmartJack® Over Other Crawl Space Support Posts?
Not every post installed beneath a floor system provides the same level of support. Wood posts, masonry piers and temporary jack posts can deteriorate, settle or lack the footing and load capacity needed for long-term structural support.
The SmartJack® system pairs engineered steel support posts with adjustable connections and properly designed footings to establish a complete load path from the floor framing down to the supporting soil.
Engineered Steel Construction
SmartJack® is built as a structural support system rather than an improvised or temporary floor support.
Support You Can Adjust
The system can be tightened during installation to stabilize the floor framing and, where conditions allow, help lift sagging areas toward a more level position.
Designed for the Load Below
SmartJack® footings distribute structural loads to the supporting soil, helping address one of the common causes of settled or inadequate crawl space supports.
