Can you staple Romex to bottom of joists?
Matthew Harrington
Updated on February 22, 2026
It is okay to staple Romex along the floor joists, provided you keep it at a safe distance from the edge. This will help you protect it from screws and nails and any critters that may be crawling along the edges – since that is where insects usually decide to burrow. You can also run Romex THORUGH floor joists.
How do you secure wires to joists?
If you're running parallel to joists, staple the wire to the inside of the joist every couple feet. The wire should be at least an inch away from the bottom edge (basically, if you ever cover it with drywall or some other ceiling, you don't want people putting nails etc into the cable).How do you run electrical wire under floor joists?
To run cable through a floor that contains a cross joist, cut a hole in the cross joist in the cavity closest to the cable`s entry point. Then, run the cable through the hole in the cross joist and through 1/2-inch holes in each joist between the entry point and the communications outlet.Does Romex need to be stapled?
The clamps, staples, or braces holding a Romex cable shouldn't be any further than 4.5 feet. However, we recommend stapling after every 2 feet, just to be sure. This is especially true when running a wire where you won't have immediate access all the time.How tight should Romex staples be?
Do not hammer in those cable staples too tight. They should be just enough to hold the cable in place, but not so tight as to pinch the cable. It may not look like the staple is damaging the conductors, and the problem may not present itself for a few years after installation, as was the case here.Is this Cable Stapling Legal? 2020 NEC 334.30
Can Romex be exposed in crawl space?
If your crawl space is normally dry, you can use non-metallic wires such as Romex.Can I run Romex through floor joists?
It is okay to staple Romex along the floor joists, provided you keep it at a safe distance from the edge. This will help you protect it from screws and nails and any critters that may be crawling along the edges – since that is where insects usually decide to burrow. You can also run Romex THORUGH floor joists.Can you run electrical wire under the floor?
Running electrical wires between the subfloor and the surface layer of flooring is not safe, but you can run them under the subfloor itself. To do this, you will need to make holes in the subfloor, and the best place to do this is through the bottom plates of walls.Is it OK to drill holes in floor joist?
You can safely drill joists for electrical and plumbing runs without weakening the joists, if you follow the rules. By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. Where and how to drill joists for electrical cables or plumbing runs depends on what type of floor framing you have. Keep the hole at least 2 in.How far do you have to strap Romex?
The general setback rule is that cables must be at least 1.25 inches from the face of the framing members.Where can Romex not be used?
To give you an overview of what the National Electrical Code (NEC) regulations state, Romex wire shouldn't be left exposed anywhere in the house, be it the basement, attic, or the home itself. In other words, the installation above is not compliant with the relevant codes.Where can I staple wires?
In the codebook, section 334.30 states that flat cables must be stapled on the flat side of the cable, not on the edge. This provides a tight wire connection to the stud and prevents any damage to the wire sheathing.Can flat NM cable be stapled on edge?
Flat cables shall not be stapled on edge. Sections of cable protected from physical damage by raceway shall not be required to be secured within the raceway.How do you run a wire in a crawl space?
If you're running cable through a basement or crawlspace, drill a hole in the bottom plate directly below the box. Feed your fish tape into the wall opening, pushing it up into the hole you made in the top plate. If you're running cable through a basement or crawl space, push it down to the hole in the bottom plate.Is concealed wiring safe?
Advantages of concealed conduit wiring system:It is the safest wiring system. Maintenance is easy. No risk of electrical shock, in case of proper earthing and grounding of metallic pipes. There is no change in the fire.