Code for Level Floors or Floor Deflection
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 1:37 pm
We recently purchased a new triple wide from Marlett out of Hermiston, OR (a Clayton Co.) We opted for a baw window in the dining room. There was a problem with the floor for that room. Initiallya it was visible large hump wich appeard to be a bowed up floor joist. The issue was first addressed by the factory having the installers come back out and put pier block supports under the knock out portion of that section (center) of the triple wide which turned the himp into a cup (depression). We are still trying to get the floor level. I was not present when the customer serivce manager from the factory came out and put a small 3' or less level on the floor and announced to my wife that it was an 1/8" "deflection" which was within their specifications. I have experience in home construction (not manufactured homes) and my experience has been that a floor should be level when it is not under a heavy load. When I checked level with a 6' level tht placed at the mid point (center) of base of the bay window wall & laid over the visible depression it was almost 1/4" deep. I then checked the level and saw that the floor was not level with the base of that wall. When I raised the end of the level that was opposite that wall to where the bubble was level the bowl (depression) was almost 3/4" deep. The customer sevice representative still says it is within specifications because 1/8" deflection in a 3' distance is acceptable. My experience with "deflection" when it comes to floors deals with "sag" under load - deflection being the measured difference between the the floor when it is under a heavy load as opposed to not being under a load. The only load on the dining room floor is a dining room table and 4 chairs in the center of the room weighing approximately 200 lbs and a china hutch against a side wall weighing about 350 lbs (when full).
My question is this: Is there a written national code or requirement dealing with acceptable limits of how out of level a floor can be?
My question is this: Is there a written national code or requirement dealing with acceptable limits of how out of level a floor can be?