Downlighters... installing in existing property...

[Dane]

How do you guys do this

when

There is tiles above the room the customer wants down lights in?

Builders asked me if i can do a kitchen and extension. The kitchen is been gutted, apart from ceiling. But i can damage the ceiling if need be, just not enough to do be able to drill a joist of anything like that.

Any suggestions?

My first though was notch and a protector plate, but i don't like that idea

 

[danny7299]

My first though was notch and a protector plate, but i don't like that idea

i know you don't want to do this but i have used these before and they are very tough

plate

 

[Megaohm7]

It all depends on how good the plastering will be after the install is complete . But as it is getting increasingly difficult and time consuming to lift floors from above it is often cheaper to take the ceiling down especially if the kitchen is having a refit much easier to 1st fix and you don't damage the flooring above . At the end of the day it all depends on the situation and the satisfactory protection of the cables I.E B.S 7671 I'm sure others on here will give their valued advice too .

 

[Evans Electric]

Smash big holes in ceiling, drill joists etc, make big hole at each light point , then builder overboards the ceiling .

Always make a sketch with measurements of light positions for drilling afterwards.

Could run cables in the safe zone just below the ceiling , then fish them across each chamber.

Deke

 

[Dane]

the above floors is basicly a no. there is no play in that, as there tiled that have only recently been laid.

Looks like its the protection plate route then... not keen on it my self though

 

[Lillpete]

In the past I've stiched cables under ceiling timbers, then they have been plastered in. I'll admit it's not ideal, but I don't think it's against regs (correct me if I'm wrong)

 

[Dane]

In the past I've stiched cables under ceiling timbers, then they have been plastered in. I'll admit it's not ideal, but I don't think it's against regs (correct me if I'm wrong)

that is something i will never ever consider doing lol even if regs allow

 

[Barx]

Had a job to do downlights, turned up and the customers wouldn't even let me up stairs. Anyways got them marked out and cut them. Then poked a rod up to find next joist, used my bigest cutter (83mm i think it was) and cut a hole just before joist. Then used a long spade bit and drilled the joist. Kitchen was quite narow and joists went in favour so only had 1 hole to patch. Just used a bit of 2x1 wood cut longer than hole. Put above ceiling over hole, screw either side then screw the disc cut out earlier back in and fill as required.

p.s. dont blind dill, do a hole either side of joist if your going more that 1.

hope that helps

 

[wozz]

is the new kitchen having coving? you could conceal the caling behind this (as the top 100mm of the wall is a safe zone) and then jump in to the appropriate bays to pick up the lights, will be easy if there are no noggings.

 

[Dane]

that could work il have too see it when i go down, have a chat with builder see what exactly there having.

 

[sparky999]

Just Bash the ceiling about and get them to reboard is the best then u can drill ur holes easy enough mate, im sure a few sheets and plaster wont hamper things as its gettin gutted.

 

[batty]

Bloody builders always want the easy option as others have said knock some holes and get him to retack it.

Batty

 

[NozSpark]

For me it's either floor up or ceiling down...

in this instance I'd do exactly the same as Evans

Big holes, 1st fix, over board, skim and then 2nd fix

 

[boltonsparky]

Had a job to do downlights, turned up and the customers wouldn't even let me up stairs. Anyways got them marked out and cut them. Then poked a rod up to find next joist, used my bigest cutter (83mm i think it was) and cut a hole just before joist. Then used a long spade bit and drilled the joist. Kitchen was quite narow and joists went in favour so only had 1 hole to patch. Just used a bit of 2x1 wood cut longer than hole. Put above ceiling over hole, screw either side then screw the disc cut out earlier back in and fill as required. p.s. dont blind dill, do a hole either side of joist if your going more that 1.

hope that helps

This is the way to do it, if luck is on your side, your clever about it and good with rodding and drilling Blushing you can do it with very little patching up, if any