Using a jack to raise joists

[drhowarddrfine]

I need to sister some joists in the basement. I have a 20-ton Husky bottle jack that can do the job. Most people say to only raise the joist 1/4 inch and leave it that way for a day before raising it again. Will the bottle jack be able to maintain that for the day or do I need to get another post to hold it in place?

[HayZee518]

are you jacking the floor in one place or the whole length? two lally column jacks are better than one bottle jack

[drhowarddrfine]

That's what I thought but I read an article that gave the impression the bottle jack was good enough. Thanks.

[HayZee518]

The bottle jack would probably be fine - I got a 100 ton jack here! But for floor joists or even jacking up one end of a house I'd personally feel better with two or three lally column jacks.