I am remodeling my kitchen and have removed the old Florescent light fixtures from the ceiling. I need to reroute the flex conduit that was originally run on the outside of the sheetrock. I need to drill some holes in the floor joists (2 story house), but I am hesitant because I do not want to weaken the support for the 2nd floor. Can anyone tell me how this is normally done in a remodel situation? Do I need to add extra bracing (to the sides of the joists) to compensate for the holes? I only need holes large enough to fit 1/2″ flex conduit through. I am assuming a hole is better than a notch on the bottom edge of the joist. If drilling holes is OK, where should they be located? Middle of the joist?
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Replies
The hole can be no more than 1/3 of the dept of the joist and 2" from the edge.
http://www.codecheck.com/pg03_04building.html#Anchor-30241
Look at figure b8.
A hole near the middle (top to bottom) of the joist is fine.
>>I am assuming a hole is better than a notch on the bottom edge of the joist
Absolutely!!! Do NOT notch the bottom of the joist!!! Please. please please... do not notch the joist!!!