My mom’s in a ’70s ranch with electric ceiling heat. I’m wanting to punch holes in it to install some can lights and one of those Solatube things, but I’m not sure how the stuff is put together. It’s smooth from below and just looks like normal sheetrock in the attic space. Things I’ve read have mentioned spacing of anywhere from 2-10″ for the wires. Any tricks for figuring out where it’s safe to cut? And while I’m asking, has anybody got an opinion on a Solatube?
thanks. Ruth.
Getting the details right for a wall assembly with the control layers to the exterior and lots of drying potential.
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Replies
Unless you're ready to abandon the ceiling as the heat source for the home, don't do it. One of our guys inadvertently managed to drill through an element in one of the homes we were working in. One hole only, drilled through the ceiling and he hit one of the elements. It wasn't an inexpensive fix, either. Despite the fact that we had an excellent idea of where it was, the electrician who came in to do the work charged us about $300.00 to make the repair. Coincidentally, I'm also in PDX, so if you need a referral to the only company in town who seems to still work on these heating systems, let me know and I'll see if I can dig out their name and number for you.
Miles
I've never seen the stuff but you might live wire detector. I've hot a little pen like device that can detect current in wire. If you turn it on low setting and slide it across the ceiling it might detect where the wires are. No gaurantees though.
You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
Ruth,
I have hydronic radiant ceiling heat and I used an infrared thermometer to find the tubing. You can purchase at Radio Shack for $50. Turn on the heat and drag the thermometer across the ceiling, look for the highest reading. Lower temps should be in between the elements. I was able to locate the center of a 3/8 copper tube. Ed
A voltage detector might work. Greenlee makes a decent one that lights up and chirps. Also might try one of the stud detectors that can locate hot wire in stud cavities.
I haven't installed one of those ceilings since the late 70's. If I remember correctly the wire is laid out so that is 3" off center from a standard 16" oc spacing for ceiling joist. It also set back 3" from each side of the 4' wide board. This layout severly limits the location of can light holes in the panel. The panels I installed had light blue lines on the face of the board marking wire location.
Dave