| RicodJour 2005-07-08, 6:25 pm |
| R. Gerard wrote:
quote:
> We have a heat pump. The compressor is outside; the air handler is
> inside, in an unfinished attic. I.e., there is no flooring and access
> is through a "hatch" reached by a ladder.
>
> Every time someone goes up there, to service the air handler,
> install an attic fan, etc., the heads of nails holding the ceiling to
> the joists "pop" through the ceiling below, making a very noticeable
> dimple in the paint, and occasionally breaking through. It's a real
> drag having this happen every time someone goes up there.
>
> Is there some way to prevent this from happening?
>
> I thought that if I were able to floor part of the attic, i.e., the
> areas where these servicemen need to walk in order to access the air
> handler, might this spread the load somewhat and perhaps prevent these
> dimples from forming every time they go up there?
>
> If so, what thickness of particle board should I put down?
Particle board is a bad choice - for anything. If it's just a narrow
area where they have to walk use planks. Generally using 1/2" ply is
all that is needed for such an application, but the 1/2" ply is
probably a bit thin to distribute the load. Stiffness is proportional
to the thickness of the material. You have to balance that with not
adding too much weight - hence the planks. You don't need a high grade
of wood at all, and a couple of 1x8s next to each other will form a
sufficient walkway. It'll be easier to get planks up there anyway.
Don't have adjoining pieces break on the same joist - stagger them. A
lower grade cedar might be your best choice, balancing weight, strength
and cost. Plus they smell nice.
quote:
> If folks think this won't do the trick, what might???
Pull those offending nails and use screws. They won't pop the same
way. Space them about 8" apart - 1.25" is all you need.
R
|