Is the joist cut through in the photo concerning enough to warrant worry?
Asked by Aino Toivonen 
4 months ago
Last Updated: May 10, 2024
Hey there! I was wondering about the joist cut in the picture. Is it something to worry about? Appreciate any insights you can give me. Thanks!
Technically you’re not supposed to drill or cut/notch the top or bottom 1/3, nor drill a hole bigger than 1/3 of the joist size. That’s a 2×8 so 2 1/2” hole, but has it been that way a long time?
Mentioned that this addition was completed in 2015 by the previous owner. It was only discovered recently after a small drywall part was removed.
Hey there! According to the anonymous participant, it’s not ideal from a technical standpoint, but it is fixable. The process might be a bit extensive as you’d need to remove any utilities running through that joist, add a new one, redrill holes, and then put everything back together. However, if the issue isn’t causing any damage or disturbances to the floor above like squeaks or dips, it probably won’t be a problem based on the picture you shared.
That appears to be the bathtub pipe leading to the upper bathroom. The upstairs floor looks fine.
It ought to have been identified during a final building inspection and fixed, assuming the addition was properly permitted
I remember the anonymous participant mentioning that all the necessary permits were obtained for the addition. I think it passed inspection back then. It was quite surprising to find out about this, though.
Do you think this is a joist above a non-bearing wall? Can you pinpoint where the hole is in the joist span (in the middle, near the end)? Is the joist supporting any heavy loads (like a nearby bathtub or stair opening)?
Hey, , we’re getting close to the end, and the bathtub is above in the upper bathroom.
Will I lose the bathtub because of this? 😳
Sure, I can help with that!
You’ll need to fix that by taking out the tub drain and putting in another joist next to it. Make sure to drill a 2-inch hole in the middle of the new joist and reinstall the tub drain.
Hey there, I believe it’s important to consider the load on the joist in that area. ‘t worry about the tub being at risk, the load should be evenly distributed. My suggestion is to remove the plumbing in the joist, replace it with a new 2x piece with at least 2 feet on each side of the hole. The plumber will need to bore a new hole through the center of the new splice, making sure it’s no more than 1/3 of the total depth of the joist. For a 2×8, which is 7 1/4″ deep, the hole should be limited to around 2 7/16″.
Haha, it’s funny they didn’t utilize the hole.
Observed that it appears they drilled in the wrong spot and then made a mess with the new “hole”.
The code that’s been wrecked. You’d need to add a new joist next to it. It may not sag now, but it will likely droop more than usual over time.
Wow, just wow. Cut 3/4″ plywood gussets glue (construction adhesive) and nail on both sides. Jim is right. Just fill the bathtub with water, you will see the flex. Over time this joist will fail. I’ve seen worse, but this is bad
Ordinarily, a hole that size would probably be acceptable. However, this hole is cut so crudely that the joist is cracking from the corners. A journeyman carpenter can twin or reinforce it with plates.
You could consider placing heavy steel straps at the top and bottom of the joist to bear the load. Perhaps around 2 feet long. The way the joist was cut through is quite poorly done.
It seems like there’s a wall underneath, so it’s not a major issue, but it should still be fixed properly. If there’s a center beam running through the house, support the floor system on both sides of the joist with 6 x 6 beams under the joists halfway to the beam, use floor jacks to remove the damaged joist, and replace it with a new one!
Thanks for the advice, . That sounds doable since it’s the part that’s hard to reach.
It seems there is a wall underneath, so it’s not a major problem, but it still needs to be fixed correctly. If there is a center beam running through the house, support the floor system on both sides of the joist with 6 x 6 beams under the joists halfway to the beam using floor jacks. Remove the damaged joist and replace it with a new one.
I’m a structural engineer and that hole looks like it extends way beyond the ends of the joist. It’s carrying some bending load, but I believe it’s reduced by 60-80%. The neighboring joists will help support the load, so as long as they’re not damaged, you should be fine. Local repairs might not be very effective, despite all the advice from so-called ‘experts’. Sister joists can help somewhat, but you still have the same penetration. Personally, I think it’s important to observe and take note – if you don’t hear any squeaking or notice any sagging in that area, the house should be safe. It might not pass a new inspection, but it won’t collapse into a black hole.
I noticed they brought the supply lines tight against the joist and soldered it on the spot, causing some charring on the joist. Ideally, the drain should run below the joist, but I assume you’ll have enough to support the load.