Red Squirrel

I'm planing out a possible DIY radiant heat installation and I am wondering, if I make 1/2" holes or so through every single joist at a few locations, would this pose a significant structural issue? The joists are 2x8 and span about 12 feet. These holes would be rather high up.

I may make the tubing just go around the joists to avoid making all these holes, but if I make holes it will make for a neater install. The water pipes would run parallel with the joists so the only area that would have holes is on both ends of each joist, to get to the next joist. I still don't feel comfortable making this many holes, unless someone can say I'm completely safe.

gbwillner

As long as A)the hole diameter is less than 1/3 the width of the joist, and you stick to the distal 1/3 of the joist, you will be fine.

tpolk

12' span on 2x8 sounds pretty maxed out. Are you tiling above or just adding heat?

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Red Squirrel

Just adding heat, already tiled (one side is tiled, other is just hardwood). In fact there are some cracks in the grout, so that probably indicates some slight movement already.