Contractor hit a wire while nailing up moulding in kitchen

Posted by Shaffer on October 12, 2009, 10:33 pm

Had a guy come in to help put up wood moulding in the kitchen. Must have
hit a wire becaue it blew a breaker.
He pulled the nail out (small nail) and hammered it in elsewhere. Flipped
the breaker back on. Said don't worry about it.

Now I lie awake at night fearing its a fire hazard.

Is it?

Posted by aemeijers on October 12, 2009, 10:44 pm

Shaffer wrote:

> Had a guy come in to help put up wood moulding in the kitchen. Must have
> hit a wire becaue it blew a breaker.
> He pulled the nail out (small nail) and hammered it in elsewhere. Flipped
> the breaker back on. Said don't worry about it.
>
> Now I lie awake at night fearing its a fire hazard.
>
> Is it?
>
>

No way to tell without opening up the spot and looking, to see what the
nail did. It is probably safe, if it hasn't caught fire already, but if
it nicked a wire instead of just shorting it, it could overheat at that
spot at some point.

--
aem sends...

Posted by Red Green on October 12, 2009, 10:53 pm

> Had a guy come in to help put up wood moulding in the kitchen. Must
> have hit a wire becaue it blew a breaker.
> He pulled the nail out (small nail) and hammered it in elsewhere.
> Flipped the breaker back on. Said don't worry about it.
>
> Now I lie awake at night fearing its a fire hazard.
>
> Is it?
>
>
>

My first thought is why did he hit it with a small nail? When you say
small you mean short? Finish nails from a nail gun are small as in narrow
but can be 2.5" long.

In theory, wires should be running through the middle of studs 1.75"
back. That + 1/2" drywall is 2.25. Then add in molding thickness.

Wiring that is run too close to edge of stud should have a metal plate.
But that does nothing if the wiring is close to the inside of the drywall
between the studs.

Where did it happen? In the field of a wall, top near ceiling, near
floor?

Posted by Shaffer on October 12, 2009, 10:52 pm

Thanks guys.

He was using a nail gun. The moulding was top of wall against the ceiling.
1920's house. No dry wall in rest of house, so I doubt any in kitchen.
This was relayed to me by wifey. I was at work. :(
What's wiring doing up there anyways?

>> Had a guy come in to help put up wood moulding in the kitchen. Must
>> have hit a wire becaue it blew a breaker.
>> He pulled the nail out (small nail) and hammered it in elsewhere.
>> Flipped the breaker back on. Said don't worry about it.
>> Now I lie awake at night fearing its a fire hazard.
>> Is it?

> My first thought is why did he hit it with a small nail? When you say
> small you mean short? Finish nails from a nail gun are small as in narrow
> but can be 2.5" long.
> In theory, wires should be running through the middle of studs 1.75"
> back. That + 1/2" drywall is 2.25. Then add in molding thickness.
> Wiring that is run too close to edge of stud should have a metal plate.
> But that does nothing if the wiring is close to the inside of the drywall
> between the studs.
> Where did it happen? In the field of a wall, top near ceiling, near
> floor?

Posted by Red Green on October 12, 2009, 11:38 pm

> Thanks guys.
>
> He was using a nail gun. The moulding was top of wall against the
> ceiling. 1920's house. No dry wall in rest of house, so I doubt any
> in kitchen. This was relayed to me by wifey. I was at work. :(
> What's wiring doing up there anyways?
>
>
>

>>> Had a guy come in to help put up wood moulding in the kitchen. Must
>>> have hit a wire becaue it blew a breaker.
>>> He pulled the nail out (small nail) and hammered it in elsewhere.
>>> Flipped the breaker back on. Said don't worry about it.
>>> Now I lie awake at night fearing its a fire hazard.
>>> Is it?

>> My first thought is why did he hit it with a small nail? When you say
>> small you mean short? Finish nails from a nail gun are small as in
>> narrow but can be 2.5" long.
>> In theory, wires should be running through the middle of studs 1.75"
>> back. That + 1/2" drywall is 2.25. Then add in molding thickness.
>> Wiring that is run too close to edge of stud should have a metal
>> plate. But that does nothing if the wiring is close to the inside of
>> the drywall between the studs.
>> Where did it happen? In the field of a wall, top near ceiling, near
>> floor?

>
>
>

I'm not familiar with 1920's houses but witing will typically run
through the attic or between 1st & 2nd floors, go through the top plate
of the wall and down the stud to the device.

http://media.photobucket.com/image/house%20wiring/dinocencio/DSC04050.jpg?o=7

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/bloga3f63bc77d916f491f14068218fc40ab.jpg

http://www.etchweb.net/home/images/house-wiring.jpg

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