[TriLUG] Information on running CAT5 in exterior walls

jonc at nc.rr.com jonc at nc.rr.com
Fri Jul 29 13:57:36 EDT 2011


SWEET!!!

I would have loved that 30 years ago.

---- Heath Roberts <htroberts at gmail.com> wrote: 
> On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 1:19 PM, Bill Vinson <bill at vinsonweb.com> wrote:
> 
> > Given some of the discussions recently, I thought I might be able to get
> > some helpful suggestions from this group... We just recently moved into a
> > new house & I am looking to wire several rooms up with CAT5e/6, but I'm
> > running into an issue. I can easily run cables through the attic or
> > crawlspace, but connecting the two is causing me some issues. I found where
> > the TWC coax lines run from crawlspace to attic & had assumed I would be
> > able to fish cables by trying to lead in & follow the same path, but I'm
> > hitting stud, heavy insulation, or something (possibly the hole these
> > cables
> > run through is just too small to accommodate additional lines). The old
> > house was easier as I could run from the crawlspace through the garage &
> > unfinished storage above the garage without every dealing with insulated
> > exterior walls...
> >
> > Does anyone have any suggestions for next steps or am I just needing a
> > professional at this point (I'm not handy enough to open the drywall & then
> > repatch/paint)? If I do need to go the professional route, does anyone have
> > any recommendations they'd care to offer? I have no idea what kind of cost
> > I'm looking at, but I want to weigh all options (including professionally
> > finished wiring, or bridging wi-fi, or powerline networking, etc.)
> >
> 
> It's usually easier to run wire in a overhead space (attic), because you
> don't have to
> worry about the beam supporting the wall you're trying to get into.
> 
> Since you have access to the crawl and attic spaces, you could just put in a
> large
> chase (PVC pipe, etc.--please use the gray electrical one) between them. The
> biggest
> problems are usually figuring out where to drill and getting around
> obstructions in/under/on
> top of the wall. You typically want to find a stud bay that has no wiring or
> plumbing, and that's
> in a wall that runs perpendicular to the floor and ceiling joists. Exterior
> walls are almost
> always going to be insulated and will most likely have blocking, so it's
> usually easier to
> run wires on the inside.
> 
> One way to locate a good spot to drill is to use something like this:
> http://www.lsdinc.com/content/product_details/18#
> to make 'locator' holes close to but not in the walls.
> 
> and here's an example of how you can deal with insulation
> 
> http://www.magnepull.com/index_010.htm
> 
> A youtube search for "fish wires through wall" turned up some potentially
> helpful videos as well.
> 
> Overall, though, running wiring inside existing walls isn't usually easy.
> I'd hire someone who does
> it all the time (they're not easy to find, though), and if you're worried
> about cost, maybe offer to
> be a helper for the day.
> 
> It's also cheapest if you can plan ahead to have a whole day's work for
> them, and know exactly
> what you want where.
> 
> -- 
> Heath Roberts
> htroberts at gmail.com
> -- 
> This message was sent to: Jon Carnes - cybertooth <jonc at nc.rr.com>
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