plywood shims?

[kimball gray]

crawlspace with intermediate columns. Plywood is used as shims. The plywood extends out past all points of contact with the joists. That is correct, no beams. All joists that are run from the foundation walls to the columns and intersected with hangers where at right angels to each other. Can plywood be an acceptable shim for the joist to rest on at the top of the columns? There is no metal between the concrete columns and the wood shims...I know....

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[kimball gray]

I ask cause this is the result. A crushed plywood shim. I believe because of waaayyy toooo much moisture under the home. foundation vents are closed. Hvac ducts insulation has been chewed off by pets, dryer vent uninsulated in the crawlspace, etc...

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[kimball gray]

and the crushed shim, that dropped about 1/4 to 1/2 inch resulted in a horizontal crack upstairs between two door frames. The floor has a slope to it for about 2 feet towards this wall.

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[Jim Katen]

The problem in your pictures has nothing to do with the fact that the shim is plywood. That's the least of the concerns.

[Denray]

What are the other concerns?

[Brandon Whitmore]

What are the other concerns?

#1- moisture/ humidity

[Denray]

Hmm. Is that a puddle I'm seeing back underneath that ducting? My last inspection had that going on along with the LP siding action. Mine had all the joist bays filled tight with insulation. There was probably this going on too.

[Jim Katen]

What are the other concerns?

Moisture

No vapor barrier (moisture)

Decay (the result of moisture, and no vapor barrier)

Undersized header

Poorly supported header

Poorly installed joist hangers

Crummy ducts

Crummy wiring

No insulation

Kimball noted most of it. It's just odd that he seemed to focus on the plywood, which really isn't much of a problem in itself.