Bottom of joists drilled and taped up wagos

[twillmo]

We've just had an electrician in today to install some new sockets and a new ring for the kitchen and I'm a bit disappointed with the work. After my brief look, I've seen that they've done some of the following and would love your thoughts:

- Drilled through the bottom of multiple long spanning joists right at the ends
- Extended off an existing ring using a taped up wagos above a ceiling and below a stud wall
- One double socket is a single cable spur that's about 5m long - I think this is fine, but I have no idea why they didn't bother extending the ring
- Where they have used maintenance free joints, they've been left hanging (I thought they were meant to be screwed to a joist to be maintenance free?)

Obviously I'm not an electrician (which is why I hired an electrician who had lots of recommendations on our local facebook group), so would appreciate if you think what they've done is fine. I'm really not happy about the joist drilling, as they could have gone a slightly longer route using existing holes. The owner of the company is coming over for a look tomorrow.

Photos attached.

 

[chivers67]

I can't see the photos, choc block taped up? Might be temporary? I'd expect the MF junction boxes to be fixed if possible though the cables do have clamping bars are they for downlights?

 

[twillmo]

I can't see the photos, choc block taped up? Might be temporary? I'd expect the MF junction boxes to be fixed if possible though the cables do have clamping bars are they for downlights?

I can see the pics when not logged in, maybe a refresh of the page would show them?

On their way out they said let us know when ready for second fix, and they're happy for us to board the ceiling. The pictures are all of the mains rings. I was also under the assumption that MF boxes had to be fixed when possible (and even cable tied shut).

I thought I'd do the down lights myself and am glad I decided to!

Obviously the fact they've done it doesn't fill me with confidence for second fix

 

[chivers67]

i can see them, if that choc block isn't temporary then it needs a maintenance free box. are there wagos inside those boxes? There's no reason why the could fix them to the joist as you say! see what boss man has to say?

 

[twillmo]

i can see them, if that choc block isn't temporary then it needs a maintenance free box. are there wagos inside those boxes? There's no reason why the could fix them to the joist as you say! see what boss man has to say?

I completely agree! I'll have to double check on the wagos on the box.

Thanks for your advice, I wanted to check that I wasn't being over picky. We'll see what bossman says tomorrow

 

[chivers67]

Personally I would have drilled those holes slightly higher up if it's possible to get a drill in there but all you're going to do is maybe put a drawing pin to hold Christmas decorations at the most and they won't even penetrate the plaster board.

 

[sparkwright]

Personally I would have drilled those holes slightly higher up if it's possible to get a drill in there but all you're going to do is maybe put a drawing pin to hold Christmas decorations at the most and they won't even penetrate the plaster board.

I think the op is more concerned with the integrity of the joists.

 

[twillmo]

I think the op is more concerned with the integrity of the joists.

Indeed I am. I'm not really sure what to do about it. I imagine it will be fine, the joists are from the 90s, so hopefully have some structural integrity unlike today's wood

 

[securespark]

I was always taught to drill the joist centrally between the top and bottom. The thinking being you want to avoid fixings through the floorboards from above and the plasterboard from below.

https://images.app.goo.gl/EVJxHcjAPW5KNzZJ8

Here is some actual measurements based on joist spans.

https://www.labc.co.uk/news/how-get-it-right-notches-holes-solid-timber-joists

 

[333rocky333]

centre drilling is more to do with compression and tension of the joists which is minimal in the centre of a joist

 

[twillmo]

centre drilling is more to do with compression and tension of the joists which is minimal in the centre of a joist

That's what I thought, with the bottom tension part being the most important

 

[333rocky333]

That's what I thought, with the bottom tension part being the most important

Though with bigger joists i feel its less of a concern, while the holes are in the ceiling maybe worth checking there dimensions, the holes do not look that big to worry about, when you see how much plumbers cut out for pipes sometimes.

 

[twillmo]

Though with bigger joists i feel its less of a concern, while the holes are in the ceiling maybe worth checking there dimensions, the holes do not look that big to worry about, when you see how much plumbers cut out for pipes sometimes.

They're 22mm holes in 220x44 joists over a 4.2m span (max span for such a joist is 4.5m). So there is a slight bit of tolerance I guess. At least the holes are drilled at an angle, so they're more central on the other side.

I told them multiple times the ceiling is being over boarded so they can make much bigger holes.

I find it so frustrating that some tradespeople don't take pride in their work, and do rushed bodge jobs instead. Of all the trades we've had during this house renovation, I'd only get the window guys back, but it's not as though you buy windows regularly!

 

[sparkwright]

It's very frustrating for you the householder being more knowledgeable than the tradesmen you employ.

And it's very awkward trying to tell these workers how to do their job.

You get the professionals in, and you should expect a top quality job.

A very decent job should include all the things you DON'T normally see, as well as those that you do.

There are many people I have felt like strangling for doing stupid things that can't be corrected easily.

 

[winston1]

the joists are from the 90s, so hopefully have some structural integrity unlike today's wood

Why do you think todays wood is any different than that from the 90's?