Running speaker wire through insulated walls
Moving to a new home means a new chance to up your surround sound system and other audio-visual AV wiring. Fortunately, you're not the only person to have this challenge. There are two tools that will help you accomplish this task: a flexible auger and fish rods. One of the more common applications where you'll need to run wiring in a wall is to hang surround sound speakers.
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- Dangerous to Run Cables through a Wall? – How to Safely Run Cables!
- How to Run Wires in Existing Walls and Floors
- How to Run Wires Through a Wall
- How to Snake Wires Through Insulation
- Help with fishing wire through external wall
- How to Run Wires Through a Wall
- Structured Home Wiring
- How to Run Wires in Existing Walls and Floors
- Installing AV Cables in Existing Walls with Fish Rods and a Flexible Auger
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Dangerous to Run Cables through a Wall? – How to Safely Run Cables!
Last Updated: July 17, References. This article was co-authored by Jesse Kuhlman. Jesse is also the author of four eBooks on home wiring including "Residential Electrical Troubleshooting" which covers basic electrical troubleshooting in residential homes. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed , times. Fishing wires through a wall can be tedious, but in most cases, you only need a couple of basic tools.
Before you begin, make sure you have the necessary permits to install new branch circuitry and additional devices. When you're ready to start, remember to be patient and thorough, which will help you avoid bogging the project down with wasted drilling or damaged wires.
One trick that makes fishing wire through walls easier is to tape a powerful magnet, like a rare earth magnet, on to the cable. Once the magnet is attached with a bit of tape, stick it and the cable through the lower opening.
At the other opening, tie an iron nail or a similarly sized metal object to a fish tape and lower it down through the hole in the wall. Keep lowering the fish tape until the nail connects to the magnet stuck on the wire. Head back to the opening where the wire was sitting and remove the magnet and the nail, then tie the fish tape to the wire.
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No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Things You'll Need. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Turn off the power.
Shut off the electricity to the circuit you are modifying. Double check with a multimeter or a current tester at the closest outlet where you plan to connect the wires. If there's enough natural light, turn off the main circuit so there's no power on at all. If you can't work during the day or there's not enough natural light, make sure there's no power or lights on in the area you're working in.
Confirm the space is free. Check for studs at the location where you want the wire to exit. Confirm there are no crossbeams or ductwork along the path the wire will take typically straight up to the attic, or straight down to the basement.
Ideally, use a stud finder that can tell the difference between studs, pipes, and other obstacles. You can also refer to the blueprints of the space if you have them. If you come across something that will block your wires, you may need to drill a small hole through the blockage or cut a notch into it that the wire can sit in. If there is any uncertainty, drill a small test hole and explore with a bent wire coat hanger. Avoid locations with another electrical outlet less than two studs away.
Stay away from exterior walls, which typically contain braces and insulation. Locate the same spot from above or below. You can often find a 2 x 4 or larger beam the top or bottom plate running along the wall, and measure along it to find the correct spot. If there is no beam, locate the wall using one of these methods: [5] X Research source Look for a row of nails in the subfloor, or a pair of joists very close together.
Measure from there to the location you chose, then measure the same distance on the other floor. If all else fails, drill a small test hole from the main floor to the attic or basement. Thread a pipe cleaner or similar object through and locate it on the other side. Cut through the drywall. Return to the main floor and cut out a piece of drywall where the wire will exit: [7] X Research source If installing an electrical box, trace the outline onto the drywall to get the exact dimensions.
Otherwise, just draw a rectangle. Drill two holes in opposite corners of the rectangle. Slowly cut along the outline from one hole to the other, using a keyhole saw. If you need to patch the hole afterward, cut at an inward slant and remove it in one piece. Drill through on the other side.
Return to the attic or basement, and drill through the wall plate where you want to guide the wire through. You may encounter nails, so choose an auger drill bit, which won't get damaged by metal.
If this does not allow for a hole large enough to insert your wires, separate the wires and insert them through separate, smaller holes, spaced a reasonable distance apart. Part 2. Pull the cable through with a fish tape. Carefully extend the fish tape from one opening to the other. Tape the end of the fish tape tightly onto the cable with electrical tape. Make sure the tape is smooth so the cable can slide through the opening.
Then, retract the fish tape to pull the cable through. Move slowly to avoid snagging the cable or damaging it due to kinks or friction. It may help if you have someone on the other side of the wall who can pull back on the wire if it gets snagged on anything. Trying to do this on your own will be much more difficult than if you have someone to help you. Drop a string from above instead.
If you want to bring the wire up to the attic, tie something to a string and lower it through the hole from above. Once the string reaches the bottom, go down to the lower opening and tie the cable and string together. Pull the string from above to fish the wire through. You can also tie a wad of paper to the end of the string and then use a vacuum to suck the string from one opening to another.
Draw the wire along with a magnet. A magnet may be the most effective method for long vertical distances or tricky corners. The key is to place the magnet at the stationary end, so it does not attach itself to a metal object in the middle of your wall: [11] X Research source Tape a powerful magnet such as a rare earth magnet onto the end of the cable.
Stick the magnet and cable through one opening. Tie an iron nail or similar object to a fish tape. Lower the nail on the fish tape through the other opening, until it makes contact with the magnet. Remove the magnet and attach the cable end to the fish tape using electrical tape.
Retract the fish tape up to thread the cable through. Part 3. Approach lath and plaster construction with caution. Old plaster tends to break off the wooden lath easily, which makes installation much more difficult.
If possible, mount electrical boxes next to a joist for a sturdier support. When working with lath and plaster, ask someone to help you by standing on the other side of the wall so you can both guide the wires. Drill through fire blocks. If there are horizontal fire blocks between studs, you have two options: [13] X Research source Use a flex bit to drill through the center of the fire block. Cover the notch with a metal nail plate after pulling the cable through. Thread wires past insulation.
If the wall contains insulation, try to fish the wire between the outer paper or plastic cover and the wall. If there is no cover, press the wire against a stud and use it as a guide. Cut through drywall for horizontal fishing. If there is no way to avoid fishing your wire horizontally, you will likely need to cut through the drywall. A small cut with a penknife is usually enough to let you guide the wire through.
Drill through studs or joists as a last resort. If there is no open path for the wire, you may need to drill through wall studs or ceiling joists. Make sure you're at least 1.

How to Run Wires in Existing Walls and Floors
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How to Run Wires Through a Wall
Adding or extending an electrical circuit is a job that seems intimidating to many DIYers, but in reality, the wire connections are rather easy if you have a basic understanding of electrical work. Fishing the wires through finished walls is the challenging part. It is easy enough to run cables through unfinished basements or attics, but running them inside finished walls is another matter. During major remodeling projects, you can route the wires where you need them to be by removing the drywall and running cables through studs and ceiling cavities. In other situations, it is neither practical nor desirable to remove drywall—it is a messy, expensive process that is best avoided if you can. But it is possible to add or extend circuits in finished walls without destroying the walls and without putting yourself through an enormous ordeal. This is also the same process used when old wiring is replaced with new cable during system upgrades. There are several methods for running cable through finished walls, and the approach you take will depend on the circumstances and how extensive the work will be.
How to Snake Wires Through Insulation

It only takes a minute to sign up. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. I want to install 4 interior speakers and one exterior speaker, as shown on the diagram below. S indicates speaker, S?
Help with fishing wire through external wall
Discussion in ' Audio Hardware ' started by stuckbetweenstations , Oct 3, Log in or Sign up. Steve Hoffman Music Forums. Location: Bethesda. The turntable and amp essentially have to be across the room from the speakers as it is the only way the set up would work.
How to Run Wires Through a Wall
Sort by Author Post time Ascending Descending. View Original Size. Rotate image Save Cancel. Breaking news: See More. Next Last. Fishing cables in exterior walls I need to fish some speaker wire to my rear surround speaker that is mounted on an exterior wall. I have done short fishes before feet and I always have problems with the insulation getting in the way and just generally making for tough going. Obviously I want to avoid bunching up my insulation as much as possible.
Structured Home Wiring
Wires running along the floor are unsightly and may pose a safety hazard. Need a new phone jack in your bedroom or installing speakers for your home theater system? Wiring new construction before the drywall goes in is a piece of cake compared to fishing them through existing walls and floors. But with careful planning, a few special tools, and the right techniques, running wires in the wall of your home may be easier than you might think.
How to Run Wires in Existing Walls and Floors
RELATED VIDEO: Audio/Video Installation : How to Run Speaker Wire Through WallsNothing ruins the sharp look of a new home theater like speakers wires dangling all over the walls. Conceal them the way the pros do. If you've ever installed a home theater or added an electrical outlet to an existing room, you may have questioned the best way to run the new wires through the wall. While every situation is a little different, most of the time, you can install the wires with minimal damage to the wall or walls. Run a snake rod, stiff wire or cable fish tape through the newly cut hole in the drywall and through the hole in the drilled plate.
Installing AV Cables in Existing Walls with Fish Rods and a Flexible Auger
Last Updated: July 17, References. This article was co-authored by Jesse Kuhlman. Jesse is also the author of four eBooks on home wiring including "Residential Electrical Troubleshooting" which covers basic electrical troubleshooting in residential homes. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed , times. Fishing wires through a wall can be tedious, but in most cases, you only need a couple of basic tools. Before you begin, make sure you have the necessary permits to install new branch circuitry and additional devices.
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LOG IN. Hi all! Does anyone have experience of running speaker wire or cable through drywall?
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