Holes In Floor Joist - Structural Problems

Whenever you start to see holes in the floor joist or notches cut out of it, your weakening the floor framing. There are areas where you're allowed to drill holes and cut notches, but there are strict regulations to where these holes and notches can be made.

In the picture above, it looks like someone has installed a new floor joist and some new plumbing. It's hard to tell whether the second floor plywood is new or not, but the drywall is part of the original home and looks a little older.

Home Repair Tip: If you are doing any remodeling work without a building permit, it would be wise to check some of the building codes out yourself. It is a general heads up, especially if you think there could be a problem somewhere or you're not 100% sure of how the framing or plumbing should be assembled.

Local building codes can usually be found on the Internet. If you can't find any building codes in your area, try another city, maybe a larger city. Sometimes you can find building information on the Internet by looking for building code enforcement requirements when submitting building plans for new construction or remodeling.