How Far Apart Should Floor Jacks Be

How Far Apart Should Floor Jacks BeUsing multiple floor jacks for a project seems like a piece of cake. But you can not just place several models of floor jacks right next to each other and expect them to work flawlessly. There is a restriction on how far apart your floor jacks need to be, in order for them to work well together.

Usually, multiple floor jacks are used for raising joists or supporting girder beams. No matter what your purpose of usage is, the distance between two models of floor jacks is a critical detail that can easily become the cause of serious damage. The minimum distance between two floor jacks should be 5 feet.

To ensure that you finish your project in time and without any damage, keenly follow the restriction of spacing between two floor jacks. If you are a novice who has no clue whatsoever, then I have shared the information in the article below, in as simple words as possible.

How Far Apart Should Floor Jacks Be?

Placing all your floor jacks right next to each other is folly. The below-stated factors will give you pointers on the required amount of distance between floor jacks.

Distance Between Floor Jacks

When it comes to floor jacks, there is a rule of thumb. No matter how many models you use for a project, there needs to be some distance between them. Placing multiple models of floor jacks right next to each other is something that will never end well. Maintaining proper distance between two models of floor jacks is a crucial detail. If overlooked, it can damage not only the project you are working on but also your precious floor jacks. The minimum distance between two floor jacks should be 5 feet. It can increase up to 6 feet, but no more than that. From my personal experience, following this small detail can help in the long run, whether you are working on raising joists or supporting girder beams.

In Joists

The distance of floor jacks under joists is not as strict as girder beams. However, there is still some restriction. When you are placing floor jacks under your floor joists, make sure to place them at least 5 feet apart from each other. The distance can go up to 6 feet, but no more than that as that may result in the joists breaking

In Girder Beams

When you are placing multiple floor jacks under your girder beams, then not only does the distance matter but also the location of the machines. In girder beams, the distance between two floor jacks should be no more and no less than 6 feet. The ideal location is at girder beam joints.

Results Of Placing Floor Jacks Nearby

A heavy-duty machine such as a floor jack comes with its own set of guidelines and restrictions for the safety of the machine as well as the user. The placement of multiple floor jacks also has a very specific rule of thumb. If you do not follow the guidelines of your floor jack’s placement for any reason, know that there are going to be consequences. Placing floor jacks close by can hinder the entire project, as the weight will not be distributed along the models evenly, instead they will be crammed up in close proximity. It can result in the joists collapsing due to pressure. Not to mention, if you are working on 15 feet area, then you will also need a higher number of floor jacks if the distance between two is less than 5 feet. This will turn your DIY project into a costly job.

Moreover, the results also will not be according to your expectations. Similarly, placing two models of floor jacks farther apart than 6 feet can result in the project cracking from the centre. As the weight of the project will not be dispersed properly among the floor jacks, the machines will not be able to hold the project upright, whether it is floor joists, girder beams or any other project.

 

Conclusion

The distance between two models of floor jacks is a critical detail that should never be overlooked under any circumstances. Especially, if you are someone who does not lie to fail and only craves the best results. Then you need to follow the guidelines of floor jack spacing that have been shared above.

 

Janathan Greez
Latest posts by Janathan Greez (see all)

Leave a Comment