I was installing wires in a wall for a stereo system and in excitement for my first wire snaking was drilling holes in all kinds of wood in the basement. After I wondered if I drilled one too many holes or drilled into something that could cause the house to collapse?
The house is a two story, about 1000 sq ft per floor. Brick walls in the basement. bottom of the house (roof of the basement) contains several 2x4's (i think) long pieces of wood that span the entire area across the basement. There is no support in the middle and it looks like those beams are nailed to steele joints to another 2x4 going along the brick wall. I drilled a nice 1/2 inch hole through one of the beams closest to the wall in a corner of the house. This is the one im concerned about. The hole is toward the upper part of the beam going at an angle (there is alot of wood displaced by the hole)
I also drilled holes (in another area) in the bottom horizontal stud that supports the vertical studs.
2007-02-16 05:39:40 · 10 answers · asked by TheAnswerGuy 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
In addition to the holes being small compared to the beams, they are also circular, which disperses the load.
2007-02-16 06:18:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-01-22 06:15:20 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I drill many many holes a day in alot of different structure types for plumbing lines. A half inch hole is not large enough to compromise a support beam. Usually you will hear engineers screaming when you go above 1 1/2". The ideal is not to remove more than 40% of the wood that you drilled through. Dont worry about it. It will be fine.
2007-02-16 15:11:42 · answer #3 · answered by ender3113 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2x4's are not used as floor joists. Joists are not "nailed" to steel. Either you are not drilling through joists, or they are much thicker than you think. There are standards for hole sizes in joists, and you are well within them with a 1/2 in hole in a 2x8 or better joist. It should be at least 1 in from the bottom for best strength. If its only one, don't worry too much, but please measure the joists, as I'm sure they are not floor joists that are only 2x4! IT sounds like you are ok, but always be wary with structural elements. I've had to fix the problems caused by plumbers that think they can do no wrong...
Good luck!
2007-02-16 15:21:25 · answer #4 · answered by joopster8505 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The rule of thumb is never drill holes in support beams
2007-02-16 07:13:45 · answer #5 · answered by robert b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A very interesting question that caught my attention once upon the time. I remember getting involved with complex mathematics but no clear conclusion. I would expect some sort of perpetual motion similar to simple harmonic motion. That much I can help, but would follow other responses to this excellent question. To avoid answers, I am sure, you do not want, you should add that Earth to be considered as cool planet with solid core.
2016-03-28 22:47:43 · answer #6 · answered by Elizabeth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, there are many support beams and drilling a small hole in one wont do anything
and if anything does happen well remember you
im gonna go watch cnn right now too see any breaking news.jk.youll be alright
2007-02-16 05:48:22 · answer #7 · answered by codetalkrz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, the holes you drilled are not big enough to affect the beams. It will be fine.
2007-02-16 05:44:31 · answer #8 · answered by ruth4526 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
o you crazy kids !if youn are concernd about those beams then add a beam nailer its a piece of steel that bridges the hole drilled into it
2007-02-16 14:30:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I concur with Ruth-should be absolutely no problem
2007-02-16 05:47:18 · answer #10 · answered by Allen L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋