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Too many holes in the wall top plate?
Unless there is additional framing resting on top, there are not a lot of
forces on the top plate because it's just holding the spacing between wall studs, and the sheetrock on the wall below is helping, too. I would pre-drill and screw an additional piece of wood on top when I got around to it. "Alfred Babacki" wrote in message m... Hi everyone, I was hoping to get some advice on the following. While running some cables in the wall I had to drill a 3/4" hole in the top plate of an interior wall (accessible from the attic). At least, I think this is called the top plate, it's basically a 2x4 laying flat covering the wall cavity from the top (is this the right name?). After I made the hole I noticed that there already was a 1" hole next to it, drilled at an angle starting from the edge of the 2x4 and going down towards the center and actually joining my new hole (which was in the center). I didn't notice the old hole at first because it started on the edge under a joist, so it wasn't visible. That hole was not used for anything (probably because it was covered by the joist :-). Anyway, the end result is that the top plate has two fairly large holes across and I am worried. What is the structural significance of the top plate? Is it carrying any loads or is it just providing rigidity to the wall frame? Should I think about reinforcing it? I was thinking that I could attach to it (with screws) a piece of an L-beam (angle beam?). Does that make sense? Thanks, Alfred |
#2
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Too many holes in the wall top plate?
Don't worry about the holes except as a fire hazard. You should fill them
with squirt foam after running the wire. "Alfred Babacki" wrote in message m... Hi everyone, I was hoping to get some advice on the following. While running some cables in the wall I had to drill a 3/4" hole in the top plate of an interior wall (accessible from the attic). At least, I think this is called the top plate, it's basically a 2x4 laying flat covering the wall cavity from the top (is this the right name?). After I made the hole I noticed that there already was a 1" hole next to it, drilled at an angle starting from the edge of the 2x4 and going down towards the center and actually joining my new hole (which was in the center). I didn't notice the old hole at first because it started on the edge under a joist, so it wasn't visible. That hole was not used for anything (probably because it was covered by the joist :-). Anyway, the end result is that the top plate has two fairly large holes across and I am worried. What is the structural significance of the top plate? Is it carrying any loads or is it just providing rigidity to the wall frame? Should I think about reinforcing it? I was thinking that I could attach to it (with screws) a piece of an L-beam (angle beam?). Does that make sense? Thanks, Alfred |
#3
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Too many holes in the wall top plate?
"donald girod" wrote in message ...
Don't worry about the holes except as a fire hazard. You should fill them with squirt foam after running the wire. "Alfred Babacki" wrote in message m... Hi everyone, I was hoping to get some advice on the following. While running some cables in the wall I had to drill a 3/4" hole in the top plate of an interior wall (accessible from the attic). At least, I think this is called the top plate, it's basically a 2x4 laying flat covering the wall cavity from the top (is this the right name?). After I made the hole I noticed that there already was a 1" hole next to it, drilled at an angle starting from the edge of the 2x4 and going down towards the center and actually joining my new hole (which was in the center). I didn't notice the old hole at first because it started on the edge under a joist, so it wasn't visible. That hole was not used for anything (probably because it was covered by the joist :-). Anyway, the end result is that the top plate has two fairly large holes across and I am worried. What is the structural significance of the top plate? Is it carrying any loads or is it just providing rigidity to the wall frame? Should I think about reinforcing it? I was thinking that I could attach to it (with screws) a piece of an L-beam (angle beam?). Does that make sense? Thanks, Alfred Don't sweat it.... Think about all the giant 1.5-2.5 inch holes in the bottom plate where the plumbing comes through! The wall is being supported by the verticle compression strength of the 2x4 studs, the walls sheer strength comes from the sheeting, if it is actually a wall that requires it... After the wall is set, the top plate is there for you to put hole to hold your wires etc...grin Take a look at new contruction around the electrical service panel... Its swiss cheese.. |
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