Can I remove these

[andrew29]

Hi,

I'm about to install some underfloor insulation in a 1950s double brick home.

These supports (see photo) are in my way. I suspect that they were there to keep floor joists in the right spot before flooring was added? And also to stop the tas oak joists from warping if they weren't entirely dry.

Can I remove them? All thoughts very appreciated.

Cheers

[rwbuild]

Pictures please

[andrew29]

yep working on it. Doesnt seem that i have permission to for some reason...

[mike48]

Just hold fire for a while.
The boffins in the background are working on a forum problem.
We are all getting the same msg abt no access to post an attachment.

[andrew29]

thanks mike, I'll stop trying to work it out. cheers

[andrew29]

photo attached439663

[ian]

short answer -- nope

structurally those braces are to stop the floor joists "falling over" which they can do even after the floor is added

[rwbuild]

No, they are a structural element that adds to the torsional rigidity of the floor and as Ian said they stop the joists rotating under load.
The technical term is herringbone strutting and is rarely if ever used today as it is fairly labour intensive and much slower to do. The method used 99.99% of the time now is solid bridging, ie: a slide block of wood 20mm narrower than the depth of the joists and centered so there is 10mm clearance top and bottom to allow for air circulation and eliminate high points in either the floor on top or a ceiling underneath as well as squeaking (when traffic on the floor rubs on the top of the solid bridging.

[andrew29]

Thanks guys, I'll leave them in and insulate around them as best I can