Subfloor & Bearer Repairs in Geelong
The stumps get most of the attention, but they're only half of what holds a timber floor up. Sitting on top of them are the bearers, and on top of those the joists that carry the floorboards. When bearers or joists rot, split or get attacked by borers or termites, floors sag and bounce even on brand-new stumps. Subfloor repairs replace the damaged framing and fix the conditions that caused it.
- Free On-Site Quotes
- Permits Arranged
- Concrete & Steel Stumps
- Geelong & the Bellarine
Signs of subfloor damage
Subfloor problems often show up inside the house first:
- Soft, spongy or bouncy spots in the floor, often near a bathroom, laundry or external wall.
- A dip or sag between two points that are otherwise level.
- Floorboards that squeak, flex or lift, or tiles that crack for no obvious reason.
- A damp or musty smell coming from under the floor.
- Visible rot, mould or crumbling timber through a vent or the subfloor access.
Why subfloors fail
Timber under a house fails for predictable reasons. Moisture is the biggest — poor ventilation, pooling water and plumbing leaks keep timber damp until it rots. Termites and borers go after damp, untreated timber. And some older houses simply have bearers or joists spanning too far, which lets the floor sag over decades. Geelong's older weatherboard suburbs, and houses on the low-lying and coastal parts of the Bellarine, see plenty of all three.
Repairs that last
Replacing timber without fixing the damp just starts the clock again. Alongside the carpentry we look at subfloor vents, clearance to the ground, downpipes and surface drainage, and any leaks, and we recommend what's needed to keep the subfloor dry.
Combine it with a reblock
If your house also needs new stumps, doing subfloor repairs during the reblock is the most efficient approach — the house is already supported and the framing is exposed. We quote both together so nothing is missed.
Why choose us for subfloor & bearer repairs
- Rotten bearers and joists replaced or sistered with new timber
- Sagging floors supported with extra stumps where spans are too long
- Borer, rot and termite damage identified under the house
- Subfloor ventilation and drainage problems pointed out and fixed
- Failed earlier repairs and missing fixings made good
- Often combined with a reblock or re-level for one visit
Subfloor & Bearer Repairs: common questions
What are bearers and joists?
Bearers are the heavy timber beams that sit on top of the stumps. Joists sit across the bearers and carry the floorboards. Both need to be sound for the floor to be solid and level.
Can you replace a rotten bearer without reblocking the whole house?
Yes. A damaged section of bearer can be supported, removed and replaced on its own. If the stumps under it are also failing, it makes sense to replace those at the same time.
What if you find termites under my house?
Work on the affected area stops until a licensed pest controller has inspected and treated it. Once the activity is dealt with, the damaged timber can be replaced.
Why is my floor bouncy even though the stumps look fine?
Bounce usually comes from the joists or bearers — rot, borer damage, or spans that are too long — rather than the stumps. Adding supports or replacing the damaged framing usually fixes it.
Ready to book subfloor & bearer repairs?
Free on-site quotes · Permits arranged · Geelong, the Bellarine & Surf Coast