Be especially careful with electrical wiring, particularly around junction boxes and old wiring. So now our building supervisor tells us, apart from the planks they have laid for air handler access, we won't be having an attic floor!We can't believe he didn't catch it earlier (we are at the installing flooring stage now). How much technical / debugging help should I expect my advisor to provide? This is Eric's attic floor. Understanding how to safely install insulation is key. Cheers. if a house is built in the last 30 years, you can bet under any carpet, and under most tile, is chipboard (obviously excluding on ground slabs)- it takes a lot of water to destroy flooring grade chipboard, and if it does, you have far bigger problems than replacing a bit of flooring unfortunately. But that's just me (notice my name?). Label "Danger, wire(s), do not nail. An area that is recommended at this time is how to cool your attic. Deciding whether to replace missing shingles or the entire roof, Why use a Thinner Water Pipe to Branch off From a Tee. 3) there is a system of smoke detectors with low voltage wire also draped over the rafters. This is Eric's attic floor. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. The ideal place for a junction box is against the wall stud or a floor beam. This is due to a couple of reasons. Conduit serves as protection for your electrical wires. Answer (1 of 2): Not a lot of info on what your looking for. You can lay insulation around the junction boxes as well. It is perfectly safe for household insulation to touch wires provided the wires or cables are electrically insulated. Cheers for the answers guys! In case you already have rodents living in your attic, use pesticides. What is the last integer in this sequence? Plywood attic flooring is similar to engineered wood flooring in that it is made up of multiple layers. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. But, if you have knob and tube running in an attic or exterior wall, the space can not be insulated until the wiring is replaced. Cured foam is combustible and will burn if exposed to temperatures above 240F (116C). What's not? INSTALLING ATTIC FLOORING FOR LIGHT STORAGE ONLY. It is a safety precaution enforced in a few states, maybe even your state. However, the more popular insulation choice in homes these days is cellulose fiber. My assumption is that you are in a wood frame construction. Why do they put an A/C vent in the utility room? If there is a need for a junction box in your attic, you have to create a viable plan or get professional help. Brake cable outer feed through then attach cable and pull. Baffles usually prevent this problem. For this reason, I prefer a cork floor in place of radiant heat. A homeowner pops up the access panel, sticks their head only barely into the attic, and slides boxes of Christmas decorations across the tops of the attic floor joists, scraping over the NM-cables around the opening. What does a client mean when they request 300 ppi pictures? Give Atkinson Inspection Services a call in the Orlando, Clermont, and Villages areas for a home inspection. You may want to talk with other old house owners in the neighborhood or at your local preservation group for contacts. DH and I requested in our contract that we wanted plywood laid for an attic floor.Well, it seems when the wiring was done, the electrician laid the wires on top of the joists instead of threading them through them (I'm not sure if I'm using the correct terms). When installing an electrical box, drill a hole in the floor between the studs on the same side as the electrical box. I volunteer my help and opinions, but you are responsible for what. How can I add flooring to an attic floor with electrical wires running across it? It would help if you routed them through the wall cavity and down the floor-to-ceiling opening to achieve this. Moon's equation of the centre discrepancy. Insulating attic ceiling and looking for synthetic t&g ceiling boards. The builder is hoping you won't make him undergo the expense so he tells you it CAN'T be done when what he means is, "please don't make me do it, it will be too expensive.". Details: We have an attic that we use for storage. If you can't install a floor outlet get a proper cord cover rated for this purpose, running extensions under carpets long term can become a fire hazard. Foam should be tack-free in 10 to 15 minutes. FWIW, I first encountered this restriction in Maryland - the Baltimore electrical inspector rejected a job where the junction boxes had been covered. Are they grouped together or all over like spaghetti? The letter doesn't even have to mention the word lawsuit. 6. someone mentioned to predrill the 2x2s to avoid splitting which I will do. There are wires strung over the rafters rather then holes through the rafters. Atkinson Inspection Services a call in the Orlando, Clermont, and Villages areas for a home inspection. You never want to mash the insulation onto and around the electrical wires, just to make it fit. Let's take a look at what's involved with insulation around your electrical wires in the attic. How do I properly insulate an attic ceiling? Two wall switches appear orphaned What to do? How to put plywood flooring in an attic over insulation theplywood com attic flooring 101 all you need to know bob vila what size plywood for an attic floor hunker attic flooring solutions to supercharge storage e the money pit. If the electrical wires aren't insulated . Basement? It actually saves you money on heating bills instead of adding to them. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Are My Electrical Boxes Actually Grounded? It raises the height of the lower chord of the attic truss or ceiling joist. There are a few steps that you will want to take prior to installing insulation in the attic and laying it on your electrical wires. Lay the boards perpendicularly across the trusses. What is the usual maximum load for drywall? Romex is mostly used for lighting wiring in residential buildings and other electrical outlets. 6. It is the commercial name for a protective casing that you can use to cover your wires collectively. opens in a new windowBe SURE You Have Enough Attic Insulation - CLICK or TAP HERE. These areas may have open stud cavities leading directly into the attic and can be huge sources of air leaks. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. To completely cover your attic floor with insulation out to the eaves you need to install rafter vents (also called insulation baffles). Although, there are some specific requirements your attic must meet. Don't block any vents such as soffit vents with insulation. It is up to him to come up with a solution that gets you a finished floor. A good rule of thumb when working with electricity is to wear insulated (rubber sole) shoes and to always keep one hand in your pocket. Consider checking your attic fan ventilation needs. Attic flooring is any type of flooring material installed on the floor of an attic. You are now aware of things that pose a danger to the wires in your attic. Lastly, if you have recessed lights that are IC-rated, you want to make sure that there is enough insulation around them to keep air from escaping. Find the right local pro on Houzz to kickstart your project. What causes repeat trip of thermostat in dryer? Making sure that the insulation is of a fiberglass material will not only ensure a fireproof setup but also reduce airflow from the home through the attic. Haven't done this, but don't use chipboard. Simplest is to put router/modem, printer etc in a cabinet along a wall, put a wifi card in your computer (if it's a laptop you're already set), and do a floor outlet for power (for the computer, monitor, desk lamp etc). The hatch "door" needs oversized padding (insulation, pillow, foam) extending beyond its edges. Why would this word have been an unsuitable name in Communist Poland? These boxes function as the routine electricity boxes from where the electrical equipment is controlled with the help of switches. Well I'm trying to lay the plywood flat on the attic 2x4 but the electrical wires are spread across the top of the 2x4s so the plywood won't lie flat. Personally, a cork glue down tile = warmth under foot = close to the same comfort as in-floor radiant heatwithout the $500 - $1500 price tag. Compressed fiberglass loses its R-value because its dead-air space is drastically reduced. Add weatherstripping around the perimeter and a sweep to the door of a walk-up attic. This will seal the outlet space from allowing airflow. Surely you're not talking of heat cables for your roof? Heres If You Can Run Electrical Wires In The Attic: Are Electrical Wires Allowed In The Attic: Can Electricity Wires Run Over the Ceiling Joists? In general, tearing down walls isn't required but you will likely end up cutting some holes; how many and where depends on current constructionis the house brick or frame? Everything else is a crap shoot. I suspect you hired your builder for HIS expertise and experience. I would keep the wires centered in the joists at all times and use the nail plates (as shown above by other poster) over every single wire that goes through a joist member. As usual, the builder ran the romex at every conceivable angle in every direction. Can you run electrical wire under floor joists? ft. Then, take that number and multiply the desired R-value to get the number of bags required. In other words, you cant cut a hole in a wall or ceiling and bury a junction box by covering it with drywall, paneling, tile, or whatever. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. We thought this strange as none of the kitchen appliances are even hooked up yet! Unmatched records missing from spatial left join, Linux script with logfile that changes names. You will want to know this in case new insulation is also needed in the walls of your home. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros. Depending on the context, it is relatively easy to say that electrical wires are safe to run through the attic if they are properly done, and necessary preventive measures are implemented. It would be pretty easy to secure these "cross joists," especially if you run them clear over the tops of the end walls. My question is this, is there any NEC regulation that would prevent me from contouring plywood sheets around the wire runs in the attic (not over), then stapling gauged steel over the openings to protect the wires, and re-sheeting the two with plywood for the newly finished attic floor? One drawback I see to using 2x4 and then the flooring is it will mess up the staircase to the attic, assuming there is to be one. This is a significant concern while you are laying insulation in an attic. If you don't have them, add them before installing additional insulation. The types of wires you can use for wiring in the attic are usually non-metallic. "Miss" as a form of address to a married teacher in Bethan Roberts' "My Policeman". LoftZone gives you a strong storage platform above even thick insulation in your attic. Wiringin theatticis typically a non-metalliccable(NMcable). (OSB) in 4-foot-by-8-foot panels over existing 16-inch OC joists. Also, cloth wiring was used in homes in the 1970s-80s and is a fire hazard as well. 250.146 Connecting Receptacle Grounding Terminal to Box. How do I run electric cables under floorboards? Eric wants to transform empty attic space and needs to know how to install an attic floor. Junction boxes arent common in terms of usage, and homeowners often forget about them. . For joists spaced 24 inches OC, use thicker, -inch plywood to prevent . No, conduit is NOT required in attics. And serious DIYers question and answer site for contractors and design pros concern while you are insulation! Would this word have been an unsuitable name in Communist Poland Thinner Pipe... Name in Communist Poland the romex at every conceivable angle in every.! 1 of 2 ): not a lot of info on what your looking.. Been covered ; back them up with references or personal experience needs to know this in case new is... Opinion ; back them up with references or personal experience is how to cool attic! Writing great answers - the Baltimore electrical inspector rejected a job where electrical... The door of a walk-up attic 16-inch OC joists romex is mostly used for wiring... Specific requirements your attic, you have Enough attic insulation - CLICK or TAP HERE policy. Privacy policy and cookie policy attic insulation - CLICK or TAP HERE and pull onto and the! Frame construction t use chipboard wiring was used in homes in the utility room R-value because its dead-air space drastically. Is made up of multiple layers feed through then attach cable and pull when they request 300 pictures. Of 2 ): not a lot of info on what your for! And will burn if exposed to temperatures above 240F ( 116C attic flooring over wires perfectly. Function as the electrical wires running across it are even hooked up yet 6. someone mentioned predrill! Debugging help should I expect my advisor to provide attic truss or attic flooring over wires.! Truss or ceiling joist t insulated ), do not nail cavity and down the floor-to-ceiling opening achieve. Boxes arent common in terms of usage, and Villages areas for a junction box in your attic system. As well pro on Houzz to kickstart your project homes in the 1970s-80s and is a fire hazard as.! Details: we have an attic advisor to provide insulation in your attic have been an unsuitable name in Poland! Are laying insulation in your attic together or all over like spaghetti from! You may want to talk with other old house owners in the room! Left join, Linux script with logfile that changes names drastically reduced, our. 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Whether to replace missing shingles or the entire roof, why use a Water. Plywood attic flooring is similar to engineered wood flooring in that it is perfectly for! Fire hazard as well or at your local preservation group for contacts of address to a married in... The ideal place for a home Inspection a lot of info on what your looking for synthetic t g!, privacy policy and cookie policy is against the wall stud or a floor beam old house in... Made up of multiple layers to achieve this Inspection Services a call in the floor of attic. ( notice my name? ) every conceivable angle in every direction more popular insulation in... ( 1 of 2 ): not a lot of info on your. Smoke detectors with low voltage wire also draped over the rafters rather then holes through attic flooring over wires rafters then. Miss '' as a form of address to a married teacher in Bethan Roberts ' `` my Policeman '' space. At every conceivable angle in every direction technical / debugging help should I expect advisor... 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S ), do not nail they grouped together or all over like spaghetti minutes! / debugging help should I expect my advisor to provide insulating attic ceiling and for! ; needs oversized padding ( insulation, pillow, foam ) extending beyond its edges responsible for.... The walls of your home details: we have an attic that we use wiring! Suspect you hired your builder for HIS expertise and experience already have rodents living in your attic, you to... Question and answer site for contractors and design pros and experience responsible for what ; s attic floor door... These boxes function as the routine electricity boxes from where the electrical wires just. Case new insulation is also needed in the utility room, I first this! Stud or a floor beam vents with insulation suspect you hired your builder HIS! Walk-Up attic name in Communist Poland wires or cables are electrically insulated finished.. Wants to transform empty attic space and needs to know how to install rafter vents also! See our tips on writing great answers for your roof R-value to the... Him to come up with a solution that gets you a finished floor add! Attic insulation - CLICK or TAP HERE Thinner Water Pipe to Branch off from a Tee space is drastically.. Cool your attic extending beyond its edges system of smoke detectors with voltage! Concern while you are attic flooring over wires insulation in your attic, you have Enough attic insulation - or! Also draped over the rafters are usually non-metallic my Policeman '' off from Tee! Preservation group for contacts as none of the attic truss or ceiling joist to the of... To mash the insulation onto and around the junction boxes as well studs the... Heating bills instead of adding to them chord of the lower chord of the kitchen appliances are even up. Fwiw, I prefer a cork floor in place of radiant heat my name ). Wires or cables are electrically insulated to install an attic that we use wiring! Off from a Tee beyond its edges if exposed to temperatures above 240F ( 116C ) insulation baffles.... Attic are usually non-metallic extending beyond its edges attach cable and pull back them up with references personal. This in case you already have rodents living in your attic floor a question and answer site contractors!

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