How do I run cables in walls without tearing many holes?

Question

I need to run about 50 ft of cable. There is an opening at the beginning and end of my run. It also runs into a closet about halfway between the two ends. Basically, is there some sort of tool I can use to pull the cable through?

Answer 1

There are various ways to run cable. If there is a crawlspace, under the floor is the cleanest way. Drill down thru the wall plate or close to the wall. Run the cable to the other end, drill up thru the floor plate between the studs, cut a hole for the "old work box" and push the cable up into the wall. You can also use a "fish tape" to pull the cable thru the hole. If needed you can also run the cable thru the attic and drill down thru the top plate, if there is a fireblock in the wall you will have to drill thru it, which is tricky without breaking some sheetrock to gain access. You can also run the cable on the surface along the baseboard to avoid breaking sheetrock, the telephone company does it all the time.

Answer 2

Remember walls have studs usually about every 16 inches apart unless the drilled holes for wiring to go through the wall instead of from the attic down ( witch is the case most the time) without those predrilled wiring holes the only way without making a mess of your walls is through the attic.if the holes are there get a fish tape some string and a vacume tie a paper towel to the string tie the other end to the fishtape and have somone go one hole with the vacumm feed the string once its through just pull the fishtape with the cable on the other end of the tape through

Answer 3

If you have an unfinished area above or below the room you could do it that way. The easiest may be to remove the baseboard and run the cable between the bottom of your drywall and the subfloor. If it's butted together you can cut out the bottom 1/2". The spot where your going up to the opening you could use a fishtape or depending on the distance use a coat hanger.

Answer 4

I am an Installer and the easiest way is to purchase a Audio/Video sender, but they don't work well with 2.4 cordless phones. Running cable through inside walls is the easiest. Get some wall plates and what they call a rework box {plastic ring with 2 plastic tabs}, find your stud work and cut your holes between the studs. Shine a bright flash light in them and go in the attic/crawl space/basement and drill through the stud, when you see the light you know you are close. Put you cable in and you should be able to reach in the wall and grab your cable. Install your rework box and wall plate and you are good to go!

Answer 5

Can you call the cable company out to do this? I have this in my house everywhere...but we live in military housing, so it was already there when we got here. I think if you drill the hole straight through, once you get in about half an inch, it's hallow, so just line your hole up on the opposite end and push the cable through. Jimmy rig something if you have to...LOL...turn a wire hanger into a sort of guide if need be.

Answer 6

If this is a newer construction house then you may run into fire blocks they are staggered in most "stud bays" (easy ladies). if you encounter a fire block then (unless you plan on buying 6' installer bits((about $50-60 at Home Depot) and drilling through it) you must cut the drywall.

to do this:
-get a drywall saw (about $6-10 at Home Depot).
-locate the horizontal fire block.
-neatly cut a rectangle, centered on the fire block, about 2"-3" wide and 5"-8" (the bigger you do it the easier it will be to drill through and run the cable through)
-save this piece, you will need it to repair.
-drill a hole though the fire block
-run your cables through.
-goto yahoo!answers and ask the question: "I cut a square out of my drywall- How do I repair it?

good luck

Answer 7

is there an Attic above where you want to run the wires. is there an unfinished basement under the room you want to run the wires. you may want to consider carefully removing the baseboard, notching out the wall, run your wires and replacing the baseboard. go to a do it your self store and look at the fish tapes. that's what they are made for.

Answer 8

There are telescoping tools available. I use the screw-on plastic pipes. They are cheap. It all depends on where the holes are and how you can get something through. Or you can use fishing tape.

Answer 9

You'll encounter wall studs along the way. You can't get through those with sheetrock in place.
go up through the attic.

Answer 10

Yes, it is called a fish tape. It is a flexible yet stiff line that you fish through the wall. Home Depot sells them.