Re BullNBear52, ...Beams.....
Yes I prefer to go around joists and beams whenever possible. I tend to like structural stuff to stay structural.
Now I've had to repair lots of old houses where "plumbers" just used a chain saw to take out anything that was in the way. Taking out the bottom or top and sometimes the whole beam or joist. Now finished houses are a composite of joists, beams, decking, subfloor, underlay, flooring, lath, plaster etc etc, so the won't collapse immediately. Many people think if it doesn't fall down before they leave the job all is OK. But they are not the ones coming back two years later to fix up the major sags.
If I do drill thru joists or beams its only in the center section and usually I laminate a little extra on each side just to beef it up a little. If I have to get anywhere near the top or bottom I will add structural steel to more than replace any structure lost in the wood.
I love the old victorians, and I love making the restorations, repairs or additions look like they are original. Lots of custom woodwork as I can never buy anything to match that old stuff and won't install imitation moldings made of MDF.
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