I was supposed to hang some stuff to make space in the garage. So I started indiscriminately screwing a bunch of crap into the joists. Now I realized that I was stupid in my haste. How do I evaluate this?
I drilled pilot holes for the large hooks (though probably not large enough – they were slightly smaller than the core of the screw), but not for the 3 wood screws in each of the 4 joists holding that extra board.
I think I used this simple 2-inch screw: i.stack.imgur.com/EkxHE.jpg (left over from a playhouse project, not even sure if it's brass or what?),
but knowing me, it could have been a 1+1/2, 2+1/2 or 3-inch version.
What are the odds that I have created a serious structural defect for the bedroom above? I'm potentially weakening/splitting a bunch of nearby joists.
People generally don't use pilot holes for drywall screws, right? But if I used larger/longer screws, it would be more likely to cause a problem. Would I cause more problems by taking out a couple screws to see?
Best Answer
The thing is you are screwing against the grain - which is exactly why home construction is done the way it is, almost making it impossible to have to screw into framing with the grain.
Meaning you could easily put screws a good 40-50% of the dimensional thickness of the lumber with no repercussions. You could put in those hooks every foot on every rafter and they would have no impact at all. However... With hooks and screws usually comes weight. Bikes are no worry at all but if you start hanging large shelves in the middle of a 16 foot span in a garage, you should worry about sag. That is a different question though.