Just realized my garage ceiling can hold way more than I assumed

I was rearranging shelves last weekend and my neighbor, who used to do drywall, pointed out that the joists in my 1980s ranch are 2x8s on 16 inch centers. He said that setup can handle around 1,100 pounds across a few hanging racks, not the 400 I was playing it safe with. I never thought to check the structural stuff before loading up those plastic bins with tires and engine parts. Has anyone else hurt their back carrying stuff down from a loft when they could have just hung it overhead?

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veramartin9d ago

Heard building codes have 10 psf dead load, your math sounds about right.