Id like to screw down a few sheets of 1/2" plywood for light storage (holiday decor, empty boxes) in a portion of my attic that has Romex running across the joists for the can lights below. Is my best option here to notch out just enough on the top of the joist where the wire runs to recess it, or to use 2x4s to span perpendicularly to the joists to elevate the entire proposed floor above?
Plywood install over Romex
- Thread starter tbm5690
- Start date
Easier just to build up with 2x and 1x
Just use screw/nail protectors if there are wire gaps (over the 2x4 at bottom of picture!)
Just use screw/nail protectors if there are wire gaps (over the 2x4 at bottom of picture!)
Pablo's way is the correct way. Notching a top of a joist is not the proper way, kinda hack in my book. And your house attic looks crispy clean and well done. Spend the extra $30 and do it right, without bring in a hack job into your crispy clean attic. Or pull the wire and drill in the center joist 3/4 hole and run it like an electrician would, up to code. Just saying.
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
Don't notch. Ideally as hemitom says drill the joists in the center and run the wires. 2x2s along the top of the joists with nail protectors over the wires probably 2nd best choice if you don't want to mess with the wires. Tidy attic space.
Depends on how many cans! Hahs
Just one or two maybe
And will need center drill 3/4”. This will not weaken joists like notching
And unless code has changed or local forbids it’s not a violation to lay wires like that in an unoccupied space but still requires strain relief at box
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