Storage question

[Buktoof]

Ok somehting I have been thinking about as I am about to undergo my first LTS packing of food materials. Since everything I have read states not to store my grains, legumes, etc in a garage or shed due to heat (humidity isnt a problem if packed right from my understanding). That leaves me converting my spare bedroom into an oversized pantry. My goal is to store a years worth of food for a family of 5 adults which according to the caculator is like 1.5 tons.

So my question is. . Can my sub flooring hold that or does it need to be supported. Figure put the heavier stuff along the load bearing walls as the flooring would have the most support in that area. My house was built in 1979 have about a 2.5foot crawl space. To be honest not sure on the spacing between boards or whatever but im pretty sure its pretty standard for that year of construction.

[protus]

just saying...dont belive all that you read.....;p

Since everything I have read states not to store my grains, legumes, etc in a garage or shed due to heat

[610Alpha]

I would look in crawl space to see what size of boards were used for your floor joist, 2x8 or 2x10 or 2x12, and see how far a part they are spaced (most likely 16" on center). Once you have this info you should be able to do some research on the net and find out how much your floor will hold (google should help you find something quickly all else call a local contractor or Lowes type store). You should be able to add cross bracing to help disperse the load across the other joists and/or add additional joists.

Hope that helps.

I made the mistake of not checking my rafters and I bought 16" insulation and found out real quick that they were 24" on center, so I was short 8" every run. Let's just say I won't make the mistake of not checking ever again. :(

[Klayton]

Thanks again for the videos guys!
I must have watched them atleast a dozen times already, and notice something new each time I overlooked last time (I get distracted by the boob tube too easily, lol)

[Bourbon]

It's nice to know you don't need to pour money into an elaborate basement storage locker.
Plus, that grain was stored in warm, outside storage; imagine if it was in a nice, cool basement with better oxygen control.

[groovy mike]

If you have a basement, I'd use that unless it floods or is over run with rodents, etc. Taking up a whole room just seems wrong. Try under bed storage, shelving etc. I figure I've got 3 months of food under a set of stairs.....

[eeyore]

To answer the original question, if you are not sure (it probably won't) i would add a few supports in the crawl space to help with the weight. It does not have to be elaborate, a few cinder blocks and a few treated boards.

Just level the area with a shovel (or garden trowel) lay a board on the ground stack cinder block up to get close and then use lumber for close the gap, you can use shim or wedges to tighten it up.

One of the draw backs of not supporting the floor and it sagging because of the weight, will be doors will stick and not fit the openings right.

[SamT]

Your floor should support 40#/sqft.

3000#/40# = 75 sqft.
If you keep it close to the exterior walls you can go a little denser... maybe 60#sqft which may also act as armor when the zombies swarm.

SamT
carpenter