Wall Wiring And Opening and Closing Walls

When wall wiring, running cables through existing walls and joist spaces is a lot more complicated than running cables in new construction.

Because you cannot see into finished framing cavities, fishing cables through walls and ceilings requires great patience and more than a little skill.

If you have access to walls from a basement or attic, you can get power into walls by fishing the cable vertically instead of horizontally through the structural framing.

In many cases, running cable the long way around to complete a circuit may be the easiest route, even if you have to spend more money for cable.

The cost of the cable is likely to be much less than that of ripping into walls and ceilings.

If you must run cable across existing framing, for example, you may have to cut into drywall in order to position the cable properly.

It is a good idea to take time initially to explore alternative routes the cable might follow.

Try to determine the best route; then make a rough sketch or map of the cable route.

This will undoubtedly save you time and money later.

Before running cable when wall wiring, first decide where to locate your new switch, outlet, or junction box; then determine which walls or ceilings, if any, need to be opened to efficiently route the cable to this point.

You can cut openings in dry-wall using a utility knife, mini-hacksaw, or keyhole or saber saw.

After you make your cut, either remove the scrap or knock it back between the framing members.

In an unfinished basement, you may encounter hollow concrete-block walls or poured steel-reinforced solid concrete walls.

Although it is possible to cut into a hollow concrete block wall, it isn't practical.

For block and concrete walls, it is best to install metal surface raceways or electrical conduit, and surface-mount your electrical boxes and wiring.

Use a masonry bit on your power drill to make pilot holes for masonry anchors; then anchor the boxes and conduit clamps directly to the wall.

Fishing cable through closed walls when wall wiring can be difficult.

Here are some tips to make it easier: always use a cut-in box for the outlet; use a guide wire to establish one reference point for two different floors; be willing to waste some wire by running the cable into the basement and then to its destination, instead of taking the shorter, but usually much harder, route through the wall.

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