Floorboard Inspection Hatch

[mark5787]

Help! What is the best method for putting in an inspection hatch in floorboards, I think that I've got a leak that needs checking out!!

 

[tall paul]

circular saw mate, set the blade about 20mm

 

[salem2000]

circular saw mate, set the blade about 20mm

And pray you don't nic any elec, water or gas lines the have been notched into the floor joists.

 

[tall paul]

And pray you don't nic any elec, water or gas lines the have been notched into the floor joists.

the blade should cut just shy of the joists if saw set at 20mm,floorboard generally come at 22mm

 

[salem2000]

And pray you don't nic any elec, water or gas lines the have been notched into the floor joists.

the blade should cut just shy of the joists if saw set at 20mm,floorboard generally come at 22mm

Unless you had a cheep ass builder and they put in 18mm. Not uncommon.

 

[Symptoms]

Mark - a floorboard saw. Locate the nearest joist (look for the nails), cut across the f/board at this position with the curved section of the floorboard saw, ease the board up with a couple of levers as you go (this prevents the saw from binding and ensures that any pipes/cables notched across the joists are avoided) and until you are through. Repeat the process at the next joist position. You now have access and a ready-made 'hatch' that is long enough to sit on the 2 joists; but more importantly, you haven't cut through any pipes/cables. You could use the circular saw method, but if it's an old house/old floor you don't know if there are any old nail stubs where you are cutting at the joist position - result, maybe broken tooth on blade or saw kick-back & accident.