How To Run Pex Through Floor Joists

Notches can t be deeper than one sixth of the joist depth.

How to run pex through floor joists.

In the case of your 2 10 joists the maximum diameter is 35 64 in. If you re running pex through joists or studs drill 3 4 in. Step 3 understand the joist slopes. You also have to leave at least 2 in.

Area in the middle of the 2 10. The slope should be about 1 4 for each foot of pipe. There is a side to this that i have discussed with inspectors. If joists are 16 inches on center and pipes run across them at a right angle holes should differ in height by about 3 8 inch.

Run the pex tubing. Running drainpipe through joists calls for meticulous work. Some manufacturers recommend adding abrasion clips at each hole. Pex is not meant to be pulled tight so leave slack for expansion and contraction.

If running vertically it should be supported every 4 to 6 feet. Of solid wood between the top and bottom edges of the joist and the edges of any hole. If the span requires say a 2x 10 joist spanning 12 the above rules apply. When you run your pipes through a joist you will have to be careful with your work.

Have a helper feed the line to avoid kinks and snarls. Secure the line to the joists using clamps image 2. You can t drill a hole more than a third of the thickness of a joist in the middle third of the joist. Pex needs to be supported a minimum of every 32 inches when running horizontally.

The holes will have to follow a straight line that goes across the floor and has to either go up or go down so the pipe has a slope. Long runs of pex pipe have to be supported with proper hangers. 3 pull pex tubing through each hole down the length of each joist bay. Do your best to separate the hot and cold lines to minimize heat transfer.

That gives you a 5 1 4 in. If you have a 12 span and the joist is a full 12 you can drill a full 4 hole in the first and last 4. Step 4 cut the holes. Run your main lines first.

The holes must follow a straight line across the floor and must ascend or descend so the pipe will be sloped 1 4 inch per foot. Be sure to leave extra pipe on both ends of the run. Run it the length of the joist bay the space between joists to the hole in the next joist at the other end of the room.