Walls and Ceilings - Installing new phone line in exterior wall
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Chewbubba
01-26-06, 09:19 PM
I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this, so if it isn't, forgive me and move the thread.
I need to install a phone jack on an exterior wall. I can get the wire through the attic to the top of the wall (I think - there's a porch on the other side and the roof overhangs the porch too).
What I don't have a clue how to do is get the wire down the inside of the wall. I'm sure that there's going to be a bunch of mortar sticking out, and I can't think of how I'm supposed to get the wire down to the hole where the jack will go. :(
I need to install a phone jack on an exterior wall. I can get the wire through the attic to the top of the wall (I think - there's a porch on the other side and the roof overhangs the porch too).
What I don't have a clue how to do is get the wire down the inside of the wall. I'm sure that there's going to be a bunch of mortar sticking out, and I can't think of how I'm supposed to get the wire down to the hole where the jack will go. :(
MudSlinger
01-27-06, 02:56 AM
Is the outside wall block or stud framed?
If it is block, there should be a board on top of the block that needs to have a hole drilled in it for the wire to be dropped through. Then you can use an electricians "fish tape" (it is basically a stiff wire) and poke and prod from the attic, until the fish is at the new jack location.
Next, tie and tape the wire through the loop in the end of the fish (using electrical tape) and pull it back up to the attic.
The tapes only cost about $10, but they are worth a million in jobs like yours.
If the wall is framed with wood, you should be able to drill a hole through the top plates, and just feed the wire down. When you know it is down far enough, use a bent coat hanger to "feel" side to side to get it. Then pull it out through the hole.
If your house is drywall and not plaster, you can even cut small access holes in the top of the wall (3" down from the ceiling), and then just do a drywall patch afterwards. (If you are "anti-drywall", this may not be the best method).
Another thought to avoid all of this, is that you can buy a cordless phone that has a couple recievers/chargers, and keep one plugged in close to the location where you desire a jack, but plug the one that uses the jack elsewhere in the house. I bought one with three units, (including chargers for each), for about $90-$100, and spread them out through my house. My wife loves it, but now my son got a new wall jack phone from a relative for Christmas, so I too will be running another "hardwired" jack to his bedroom wall as well!
I hope this helps.
If it is block, there should be a board on top of the block that needs to have a hole drilled in it for the wire to be dropped through. Then you can use an electricians "fish tape" (it is basically a stiff wire) and poke and prod from the attic, until the fish is at the new jack location.
Next, tie and tape the wire through the loop in the end of the fish (using electrical tape) and pull it back up to the attic.
The tapes only cost about $10, but they are worth a million in jobs like yours.
If the wall is framed with wood, you should be able to drill a hole through the top plates, and just feed the wire down. When you know it is down far enough, use a bent coat hanger to "feel" side to side to get it. Then pull it out through the hole.
If your house is drywall and not plaster, you can even cut small access holes in the top of the wall (3" down from the ceiling), and then just do a drywall patch afterwards. (If you are "anti-drywall", this may not be the best method).
Another thought to avoid all of this, is that you can buy a cordless phone that has a couple recievers/chargers, and keep one plugged in close to the location where you desire a jack, but plug the one that uses the jack elsewhere in the house. I bought one with three units, (including chargers for each), for about $90-$100, and spread them out through my house. My wife loves it, but now my son got a new wall jack phone from a relative for Christmas, so I too will be running another "hardwired" jack to his bedroom wall as well!
I hope this helps.