What's behind this horizontal beam in Garage

[PoorOwner]

Does anyone know what is behind this beam in the garage.
I want to put some screws into studs for storage or TV mount, but wanted to be sure there isn't pipes behind it.

 

[ccoffing]

Looks exactly like the beam in my extended garage in my old house, supporting the trusses so the garage could have an addition. Probably a 4x12" wooden beam covered by drywall. I'd feel fine running some lag bolts into it, no worries.

 

[ADSR]

Who knows for sure. But it looks like it's just load bearing for upstairs.

 

[pendragon1998]

Maybe borrow one of those infrared cameras? Listen with a stethescope for water? I'd be concerned about drilling into a live wire.

 

[Kracin]

drill a small hole, 1/2 or so, dont go deep. and then use a snake inspection camera from HF (80 bucks). just another useful tool at work. then you can easily patch a small hole like that.

 

[yuk]

see if you local government has blueprints from the home build.

 

[atfulldraw]

if the area above is accessible, check to see if they broke joists on the beam.

or poke a hole in the ceiling and take a look.

 

[kert]

It looks like the beam is about 4" wide from the picture. There would be no way to reasonable put plumbing/electrical plus the support structure and 2 layers of sheetrock in that space. I'd be pretty sure that it is a solid beam and if you tap on it you'll find it sounds solid and not hollow. You should be safe to put screws/lags in the middle of it.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

90% sure it is just a beam. If it is an LVL (laminated wood) then you can screw right to it, If it is a steel I-beam then you will need to think about how to properly secure a TV bracket because the sheet rock alone won't be strong enough...

 

[Justanoldguy]

Looks like a solid beam to me.
Tap it and see if it sounds solid or hollow.
I'd be surprised if any pipes or wires were there.

 

[NHBandit]

Got any friends with a metal detector ?

 

[NUTTSGT]

My parents house has a beam just like that in the garage, laminated (flat) 2x6s.

If you want to make sure, you could always cut a section of the drywall off and repair it. Since it's on the beam and generally people don't look up, it won't have to look "perfect" if you've never done any drywall finishing.

 

[PoorOwner]

Here is a view from outside, it seems to be where the upstairs room's exterior wall starts. If you look at the side window of my original pic you can get a reference of where this is.

So I think it is just a support beam.

 

[atfulldraw]

that makes it clear -- it is just a beam for the wall/floor joist to rest on.

drill/hammer/screw away!

 

[JakeKohl]

Here is a view from outside, it seems to be where the upstairs room's exterior wall starts. If you look at the side window of my original pic you can get a reference of where this is.

So I think it is just a support beam.

There would be no reason to run anything in that beam to an exterior wall. However, check that you don't have HVAC registers directly over that beam upstairs or a hose bib on the exterior in line with it...should be good to go.

 

[e-tek]

So I think it is just a support beam.

I think you mean: it is "a VERY important support beam"!!! LOL!

But ya, I'd tap that.

 

[LX-Markham]

If you want to make sure, you could always cut a section of the drywall off and repair it.

Selective exploratory demolition. It's just drywall.

 

[CNGsaves]

Selective exploratory demolition. It's just drywall.

^ ^ ^ This . . . . small drill bit will pull first 5/8" as white sheetrock dust, then after that should be sawdust if it's wood.

Drill your first hole and hang something (besides a TV) on it to test it's holding capacity. Of course, don't park car underneath it if your "test weight" might fall down !!

 

[ddawg16]

I have a 7x16 PSL beam running across my garage....it supports the floor joists for the second floor 'storage'.

 

[PoorOwner]

maybe something like this

I think it is nicer to store this way than ceiling hooks.

+Wall speaker mounts

 

[tcianci]

It's a beam alright. If you need to hang something, just keep drilling till you get through any wires or HVAC stuff. You'll hit plenty of wood to anchor to eventually.

 

[JakeKohl]

^ ^ ^ This . . . . small drill bit will pull first 5/8" as white sheetrock dust, then after that should be sawdust if it's wood.

Drill your first hole and hang something (besides a TV) on it to test it's holding capacity. Of course, don't park car underneath it if your "test weight" might fall down !!

I might add to that, if it hisses, it's probably a refrigeration lineset or gas line, if stuff gets wet it's probably plumbing, and if it sparks it's probably electrical.

 

[ADSR]

I think you mean: it is "a VERY important support beam"!!! LOL!

But ya, I'd tap that.

The wall and floor is the bearing chase. That beam holds up the roof.

Tap it!