"finding a joist" in ceiling

xyz123

hi

i am looking to replace existing signle bulb in living room with a 5 arm chandalier. The chandalier manual says ensure that the at least 2 cm of screw is in the joist?

below is an image of ceiling lamp.

do i need to "find a joist" in ceiling. ceiling takes weight of furnitures etc from upstairs. and if i need to, how do i find a joist in ceiling?


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Hintza

Take out that light fitting and have a look/feel asrounf until you find the joist. Alternatively can you lift a board upstairs?

DTDfanBoy

You shouldn't need to lift a board upstairs, the floorboards will be nailed or screwed into the joists. You should also be able to find a joist from below by tapping the ceiling, hollow sound no joist, deeper more solid sound = joist.

SailorSam

You're really going to hang the chandelier in exactly the same place as your old light, otherwise the centre rose will look odd.
If as Hintza says you can't feel a joist you may need to lift a board and fit a small piece of timber across some joists

macman

Drill small pilot holes if necessary.

xyz123

Thanks. Something just occurred, English not being my first language. Its nit really chandelier but a 5 arm pendant. Lifting carpet upstairs is out of question unfortunately.

If I can't find or am not sure of a joist in central rose, are there any special fittings that can possibly be used to fix to floorboard rather than joist. Ta

ariba10

A metal detector or cable detector should find the nails or screws that were used to fix the plasterboard or laths that were used to make the ceiling.

jc808

get some1 else in to do it

cyclonebri1

jc808 wrote: »

get some1 else in to do it

I have to say I agree, if the op thinks he needs to fasten the fitting to the floor boards of the room above, then I'd suggest he doesn't have the skill and the safest if not the cheapest would be to get help, the question about the electrical side could be interesting.

So trying to help OP, it's highly likely that the existing rose is fixed to a joist and not to a "noggin" spanning 2 joists, builders don't like extra work;)
If you remove the existing, and prod around with a spike keeping within the base footprint of the new fitting, you should be able to determine which way the joist runs and how to orientate the base plate. Mark out the centres of the fitting on the ceiling and try a screw, if it bites all the way in, you are on a winner.

If you don't understand what I've said, revert to my 1st suggestion.

StuC75

Unless your planning to swing on the light or it having a ceiling fan?, chances are its not much heavier than what is already fitted? It would also take some work to move the ceiling rose that you have there already?

keystone

Well its fixed to something. Lookie - filled in screws:



To find joist use a bradawl.

Cheers