Staple Driving

[DBoone]

How tight do you drive your staples to NM?

Just snug enough so the cable(s) can't slide up or down but not so snug that it dents the sheathing.

Leave a slight gap between cable and staple for "breathing room".

Leave a big gap and just have the staple there to keep the cable in the center of the stud/joist.

 

[Ponchik]

Option "A"
Just snug enough so the cable(s) can't slide up or down but not so snug that it dents the sheathing.

 

[DBoone]

Some of the sheathing these days, especially Romex brand, seems to be so thin and soft. It doesn't take much for the sheathing to dent. Makes me lean towards leaving a little breathing room.

Just wanted to see what others think/do.

 

[mkgrady]

I agree with Edward. We all know that Romex can be damaged by overdriving the staples but I'm not sure there is a standard to know how tight is too tight

 

[Ponchik]

Installer has to get real excited with the hammer for the NM cable to get damaged. Otherwise you wont damage the jacket, unless you miss the staple when striking you hammer.

 

[DBoone]

Installer has to get real excited with the hammer for the NM cable to get damaged. Otherwise you wont damage the jacket, unless you miss the staple when striking you hammer.

I witnessed a hammer-happy installer last year. On this particular job we just framed the house and that's all. The homeonwer's dad was doing the electrical. Those staples were literally sunken into the sheathing and more than likely the insulation. All I could do was shake my head.