Plumbers And Electricians Will Love It If You Do This One Thing - Wall Framing Top Plate Nailing

Please Note: I've got a couple of complaints about the whether or not you need 12 nails on each side of the framing plate breaks and would suggest checking with your local building authorities to verify this is a requirement. I've been doing it since the late 1990's in Southern California. However the main points in the videos about plate break locations and nailing to avoid plumbing and electrical holes should make sense. Here's a video that will provide more information on top plate framing and the 12 nails. https://youtu.be/Wt-4tZKyUYk

framed hundreds of houses.....never heard of 12 nails on each side of a lap or brake . i have always nailed top plates above studs .

Anyone on here ever try to pull apart two 2x4’s with 3-4 modern framing nails in it? You should try. Then you will realize how ridiculous 24 nails in a break is. Honestly, it probably weakens the board material.

In 20 plus years of commercial and residential construction, no one ever mentioned to place twelve nails at each side of a break. Not even a single engineer. I also went to a technical architectural school, never saw this detail. This only in California? Crazy in my opinion. I always directed my guys to line up plate nails directly over studs or other framing members. Interesting! Thank you!

Wow 12 nails! I'm sure they're drawn that way, but I doubt many carpenters actually pop 24 nails in a two foot area. Maybe I'm wrong.

Nails destroys our hole hog drill bits. Never fails we always find the nails. The boss loves it...

Most trades dont care about the others that follow. That goes for Framing, too many studs and nails where its not required. Electricians and plumbers that butcher what ever framing or material is in their way. Dry wall finishers who leave 1 inch of mud for you to clean before you can put on baseboard.

Excellent tip, Greg.

Love the pictures and ideas 💡 how about a round, radius wall . Layout and design thanks the, plumber

Thanks for trying my man. But getting framers to not put nails on or as close to possible to studs is almost impossible. Old school framers, carpenter's,knew this but not today. I have to spend way to much money on augers ( hole hogs). They don't care. Time is money. I am a plumber by the way!!

Awesome Information 👌

They're often out of the budget, but companies like Simpson make great hardware for plumbers, electricians, HVAC guys. Hardware to reinforce areas where they have to butcher structure.

6:45 This tip is no longer concerned with breaks but has to do with general plate nailing practices, yes?

do you have anything on glulam arches? and or footings under vaulted (2-3story tall) arches

Great fireproofing

Instead of nails are there any advantages of using wood screws (e.g., perhaps one can use fewer fasteners/nails)?

Greg Awesome video, this helps alot explain things! I would just like to confirm from the video as you explain it is ok to cut out small holes in the cap and top plates for plumbing and electrical for example 1.5" on exterior walls that made with 2x6 studs or even also load bearing walls made of 2x4 studs ok to cut 1.5" for plumbing and or electrical? I do understand that the location of where the actual cut out is important and to secure the top plates making sure its away from the breaks and away from the nails. But if I needed to say for example make 2 or 3 holes of 1.5" for electrical or plumbing along the same top plates but spaced out about 5 or 6 feet from each other is that also ok? Meaning non of the holes will compromise the structural integrity of that framing correct?

In cold climates you would not put a vent pipe in the outer wall. It ruins the vapor barrier and insulation system. Plus it would likely freeze up since it is outside the wall insulation.

Great video

Very interesting.