No lateral support (bracing) to piles

Cause

Bracing was not installed (even if a house has been repiled) – typical in older houses

Repair

  • provide lateral bracing support to the piles. Fix timber braces at a slope no more than 45° – flatter slopes are better (see drawings). Connect each brace to framing parallel with it, i.e. pile to bearer or pile to joist. Sheet bracing (treated plywood or fibre-cement) can also be used so long as it does not reduce subfloor ventilation.
  • you can find more details about subfloor bracing here, and you can find information about retrofitting subfloor bracing for houses on hillsides here.

Cause

Earthquake damage to existing bracing 

Repair

  • carefully check the state of all the subfloor structure including fixings. Depending on the severity of the earthquake and scope of the damage you may need to call in a chartered professional engineer to advise

  • repair or replace any split or otherwise damaged lateral bracing support to the piles. Fix timber braces at a slope no more than 45° – flatter slopes are better (see drawings). Connect each brace to framing parallel with it, i.e. pile to bearer or pile to joist. Sheet bracing (treated plywood or fibre-cement) can also be used so long as it does not reduce subfloor ventilation.

  • you can find more details about subfloor bracing here, and you can find information about retrofitting subfloor bracing for houses on hillsides here.