Sorry the thread title wasn’t too clear. I’m running new wiring throughout a single story house that has 2×6 ceiling joists (attic created by about 4in12 roof) that span up to 16′. Seeing that my fat a$$ is going to be up on those 16′ spans, I’ve been adding solid blocking to try and stiffen things up.
My current question stems from wiring. 99% of the new house cables will be run through the attic. So: Through the joists or over the joists?
1. Through the joists means boring holes and running the cable through the holes. Nice and clean looking, no additional expense, only a little labor, but do 2×6’s spanning 16′ really need holes in them?
2. Over the joists means nailing down 2x across the top of the joists and running the cable along them. That might even help stiffen up the ceiling, however it adds labor and $$ (for the 2×4/6’s)
So through the joists or over the joists?
jt8
“Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame.” — Erica Mann Jong
Replies
Hey John---Hope things are well with you.
I see your point about drilling holes in 2x6s but I don't know why you would have to put rat-runs in to follow the wire.
Is that a local code--In all the attics I have been in they lay on top of the joist and are stapled to them. I have noticed they run around the perimeter of the roof as to stay out of the walk area in the middle.
Might be out of my league here but if I am I would be interested in learning more about what the codes are about it.
Mike
"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990
" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
The wiring must be protected from damage, either inherently (due to where you're placing it) or via your efforts. I'm fuzzy on the details, but in general if the area is high enough that one could sort of stand up in it then the wiring must be protected from foot traffic. This doesn't necessarily mean through the joists, though -- you can provide some sort of protection around the wires instead. Or you can tuck the wiring back in a cranny where it can't readily be trod on.
(I'm sure some code lawyers will come along and fill in the details -- and tell me I'm all wet.)
happy?
Does not sound like a finished attic.
Seems like you could just run the wires across the joists down near the eves (where you do not walk), and skip the 2x4.
If you really wanted to protect it, you could run conduit.
If you must drill, do so close to the ends, right through the center.
run the perimeter
around here to follow code the wires in a unfinished attic with no storage can run anywhere with the exception that around the attic access hole they must be protected within 6' of opening, usally you just lay 2- 2x4's for a raceway and thats it.larry
hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
Sounds like you've already added blocking, but would be much easier to lay down pieces of plywood (if you can get them up there easily--I'm not talking 4x8 sheets!).
That's what I did, I ripped a bunch of 7/16" OSB at 24", so I could fit them up my attic hole.
Did i say something funny?Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Sounds like you've already added blocking, but would be much easier to lay down pieces of plywood (if you can get them up there easily--I'm not talking 4x8 sheets!).
Previous owner put some maybe 1/2" plywood up there down the middle of the house (probably around 6' tall there). I think they did it for storage, not strength, because some of it isn't nailed down (I just about took a ride on a piece that slid off the joist).
I'm gutting the place. Ceiling drywall/insulation is gone, so I could get 4x8 sheets up there. But plywood wouldn't make the wiring any easier.jt8
"Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame." -- Erica Mann Jong