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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That looks like a drywall seam. Running it under the joists is not code.
Tons of Google hits and You Tubes on this subject matter. I would follow code to the T to avoid a fire from wire mishaps, especially when another worker is not familiar with the situation (over abundance of caution/idiot proof). Insurance coverage might get dicey if a hack job is discovered in the fire investigation.
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Since there is some talk about building code:
https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IPC2018P5/appendix-c-structural-safety
This is Appendix C of the ICC Plumbing Code, as it pertains to structural notching and boring. It will be that same in all codes. Some area may have amendments to this document, which might be slightly different.
If it was me, I would stand a 2x4 up, perpendicular to the existing joist, and if needed, notch the 2x4 with a small 1\2"x1\2" notch to accommodate where the wires are in conflict. Attaching\ th\e 2x4s with\ blocking mounted vertically and attcah\ed to th\e inside web of the existing joist
I would also not put a whole bunch of heavy stuff on this platform you are making.
https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IPC2018P5/appendix-c-structural-safety
This is Appendix C of the ICC Plumbing Code, as it pertains to structural notching and boring. It will be that same in all codes. Some area may have amendments to this document, which might be slightly different.
If it was me, I would stand a 2x4 up, perpendicular to the existing joist, and if needed, notch the 2x4 with a small 1\2"x1\2" notch to accommodate where the wires are in conflict. Attaching\ th\e 2x4s with\ blocking mounted vertically and attcah\ed to th\e inside web of the existing joist
I would also not put a whole bunch of heavy stuff on this platform you are making.
