I would appreciate a little help with a problem I’m having. Here’s what my layout looks like:
I have 2×8 floor joists spaced 16″ on center under the main floor of my 2 story home. There’s an area with a basement window that sits at the same height as the joists. The 2 joists in this area were cut and tied into a header made up of 2 sistered 2x8s which then forms a box around the window. The span of the header and box is less than 4ft wide.
Now here’s the problem:
We had an overzealous AV installer running cable in the basement and he drilled a 7/8″ hole through the 2 sistered 2×8 (that form the header end of the box). The bottom of the hole is 1 1/8″ from the bottom edge of the 2x8s. Obviously less than the 2″ required by code. The hole is located about 4 1/2″ from one end of the header (ie where it ties to the supporting joist).
At 7/8″ it’s a not a very large hole, but I worry about the 1 1/8″ from the edge and the fact that the load from two joists are tying into this header.
Is it worth ripping out the drywall to reinforce the joists?
Edit: sketch with measurements added. This is basically looking up at the floor joists from the basement. I’ve also added a picture of the window.
Replies
hejests wrote:
I would appreciate a little help with a problem I'm having. Here's what my layout looks like:
I have 2x8 floor joists spaced 16" on center under the main floor of my 2 story home. There's an area with a basement window that sits at the same height as the joists. The 2 joists in this area were cut and tied into a header made up of 2 sistered 2x8s which then forms a box around the window. The span of the header and box is less than 4ft wide.
Now here's the problem:
We had an overzealous AV installer running cable in the basement and he drilled a 7/8" hole through the 2 sistered 2x8 (that form the header end of the box). The bottom of the hole is 1 1/8" from the bottom edge of the 2x8s. Obviously less than the 2" required by code. The hole is located about 4 1/2" from one end of the header (ie where it ties to the supporting joist).
At 7/8" it's a not a very large hole, but I worry about the 1 1/8" from the edge and the fact that the load from two joists are tying into this header.
Is it worth ripping out the drywall to reinforce the joists?
Edit: sketch with measurements added:
not knowing what load is above, I'd not be worried about that hole location at all. If you are and can access this to rerun the cable.........move the cable where you would like it and get a 1" hole saw and cut a plug. Slather with PL Premium or Titebond and cram it in there.
Plugs
I wouldn't worry too much about the hole. A plug won't do anything for a hole in the bottom of the header because this part is in tension. If anything making the hole larger will further weaken it. You could scab on a piece inside the window well. It doesn't look like the wire is still there.