richard,

i respect your knowledge and hope i could run something past you and get some input.

i have a bathroom remodel that i am doing and the ho wants to move the shower a few feet, the problem is that there is a 3 1/2 x 12 powerlam beam in my way. can i treat the powerlam beam like any other floor joist and drill through it using the same guidelines for floor joists (nothing within 2" top and bottom, and max diameter hole d/4, 12/4= 3" max hole)andrun a 2" waste line through it, or do i have bad news to give my ho.

thanks in advance,

brad

whoops, d/3, 12/3= 4" max hole

Laminated veneer lumber which is uniformly loaded may be drilled ONLY as follows:

1. ONLY in the middle one-third of its span, NEVER in either one-third of the span at the ends.
2. MAXIMUM round hole size 2 inches for beam depths from 7 1/4 to 18 inches.
3. Rectangular holes are not allowed.
4. Hole must be within the MIDDLE one-third of the beam depth, NEVER in the top or bottom one-thirds.
5. If more than one hole is to be drilled, the holes must be separated by a minimum of two times the diameter of the largest hole, measured from edge to edge.

If the beam is not uniformly loaded, or if a hole must be drilled which does not conform to these requirements, representatives of the beam manufacturer must be contacted for engineering evaluation and assistance.

Darned architects are always putting stupid beams in the way of the poor plumbers.

thanks, thats all i needed to hear.