Romex in attic, laid on joists

[Chukster]

That's the gist of it; house is about 50 years old, stick construction, with 2x ahhh, 10? 12? ceiling joists. Wiring for ceiling lites to 1st floor is of course thru the attic and just laid across joists. Attic is partially floored; 1/2 ply. I'd like to expand the flooring to make more storage space.

What's a good way to protect those romex on the joists? I know it's a lot of work, but if it's worth it, i'll do it; pull the cables back, and thread them thru holes drilled in the centers of the joists.

What say?

 

[Norcal]

That's the gist of it; house is about 50 years old, stick construction, with 2x ahhh, 10? 12? ceiling joists. Wiring for ceiling lites to 1st floor is of course thru the attic and just laid across joists. Attic is partially floored; 1/2 ply. I'd like to expand the flooring to make more storage space.

What's a good way to protect those romex on the joists? I know it's a lot of work, but if it's worth it, i'll do it; pull the cables back, and thread them thru holes drilled in the centers of the joists.

What say?

You do need to consider where holes are drilled in the joists, as do not want to compromise them by drilling just anywhere.

 

[Moosefire]

Yeah, drill in the beam and re run the cable. You could notch the tops and put a metal cap in to protect the wire from nails or screws, plus that way you dont have to re run the cable..

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[Innovate1]

Notching the joists will definitely affect the strength as most of the stress is in the outer parts of the joist - that's most critical near the center of the span. Small holes in the center do very little if anything to affect the strength.

Google finds lots of guidance. Here is one:
https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/10657/what-are-the-guidelines-for-holes-in-joists

 

[joel]

How about attaching wood strips along the top of the joists positioned around the wires and and bridging the gaps/wires with metal plates? Then lay down the flooring.

 

[Siegel1719]

How about attaching wood strips along the top of the joists positioned around the wires and and bridging the gaps/wires with metal plates? Then lay down the flooring.

This. Use faring strips to build a 3/4" gap in the floor. Attach your subfloor at the faring strips and you will have no issues.

 

[pbon]

Relocate the wires to boards running perpendicularly across the rafters? Probably raising the floor on strips is easiest.

 

[_Stang_]

If you're flooring directy on the the joists you're likely crushing your insulation and kiling your R value. Proper method is to run 2x4s or 2x6s perpendicular to the joists standing on end the build your floor on that. You can easily work around the wiring.

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[jbwilkins]

If you're flooring directy on the the joists you're likely crushing your insulation and kiling your R value. Proper method is to run 2x4s or 2x6s perpendicular to the joists standing on end the build your floor on that. You can easily work around the wiring.

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The 'standing on end' part will also help prevent any screws/nails going into the romex when attaching the flooring....

 

[Toomanytools?]

Yeah, drill in the beam and re run the cable. You could notch the tops and put a metal cap in to protect the wire from nails or screws, plus that way you dont have to re run the cable..

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DON'T do this. Might also check to see if the attic can support a bunch of storage items, just because you can doesn't mean you should.

 

[Norcal]

DON'T do this. Might also check to see if the attic can support a bunch of storage items, just because you can doesn't mean you should.

This is another consideration, when ceiling joists were sized it's pretty doubtful there was any thought of attic storage.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, Attaching furring strips to the top of your joists with gaps where the Romex crosses them would be the better method than rerouting the cable through holes drilled in the joists.

To be extra cautious you might add a "Nail Plate" to cover the gaps in the furring strips.

My idea will save you both time and work.

 

[Showkey]

Besides the weight.

The other side of attic storage in NC.......is..........the vast majority of the time the attic temperatures might be in excess of 120-160*.

 

[Chukster]

Besides the weight.

The other side of attic storage in NC.......is..........the vast majority of the time the attic temperatures might be in excess of 120-160*.

To quote Edith Anne: "And that's the truth"

Originally from WNY, but came 'down south', but I'm not one of those who stored candles in the attic after Christmas. Then got a surprise next season.

FWIW, I feel the house is pretty damn well built. Again, built around '68, by well respected builder of the day. Heck the roof sheathing is tongue and groove 1 x

Lot's of good ideas, everyone.

 

[pbon]

A temp controlled fan out one end could help the heat issue.

 

[Barnabas]

I put 2x2s on top of the joists leaving room for the wires. That also gave me a little more height for insulation before laying the plywood floor.