Fishing Electrical Wire Through Walls | The Family Handyman Page 1 of 5

Fishing Electrical Wire Through Walls

Run electrical cable through walls and across ceilings
without tearing them apart

Add wiring for new switches, light fixtures and outlets anywhere in the house, with
minimal wall damage. This article shows you how to use a fish tape to pull wire through
walls and across ceilings, quickly and efficiently.
By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine:September 2006

TIME
One day
Leave extra time for wall repairs.

COMPLEXITY
Simple
Running the wire is simple, but wiring may be more complicated.

COST
$20 - $100

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Step-by-Step
Find a path for the wire

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Photo 1: Cut access holes
Cut a 3-in.-high by 5-in.-wide opening in the drywall, using a keyhole saw, at each
framing member and the top plate.

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Photo 2: Notch the stud
Chisel a 1/2-in.-wide x 1/2-in.-deep notch in the studs or joists to hold the cable. You
can also use a reciprocating saw to cut the notches.

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Photo 3: Using a fish tape
Feed the fish tape from the wall to the ceiling box. Connect the cable to the fish tape
and pull it back through the ceiling.

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Close-up
Fish tape

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Photo 4:
Press the cable into the notches and cover it with a nail guard for protection.

Running wire from a switch location to a light or fan in the center of the ceiling can be a
challenging project. You'll almost always have to cut some holes in the walls, but you can
minimize ceiling damage by using a “fish tape.” A fish tape is a long strip of spring steel
used for pulling wires through walls and ceilings. They're available at hardware stores
and home centers.

To map out the best path for the cable run from the switch to the light, first determine the
ceiling joist direction. Generally, it's best to run the cable in the space between the joists
so you won't have to cut a lot of holes in the ceiling. Then figure how to get the cable
through the wall to that joist space.

Since you can't run the cable through the attic, the next best choice is to go down into a
basement or crawl space, then go back up through the stud cavity directly below the joist
space. If you can't go down, follow the procedure we show here, which is to go
horizontally across the studs until you're below the joist space. As you can see in Photo
2, you'll have to notch each stud and the top plate.

Once you know the path of the cable, cut a hole in the ceiling for the chandelier outlet. At
each location where the cable will cross a framing member, cut away the drywall. Where
the cable will turn from the wall to enter the ceiling, cut out a 3-in.-wide section of drywall
in the wall and ceiling (Photo 1). Extend the openings at least 2 in. from the edge of the
top plate.

With a sharp 5/8-in. or 3/4-in. chisel, trim the stud or plate back about 1/8 in. so
that the guard plate will sit flush with the face of the framing (Photo 4). Then chisel
the notches for the cable (Photo 2).
Feed the fish tape from the opening at the top plate to the lighting outlet, connect the
cable and pull it through (Photo 3). Then feed the fish tape from your wall switch to the
top plate opening, connect the cable and pull it through the wall.

Be sure to install nail guards that completely cover the cable where it crosses the framing
(Photo 4). Wire the switch and the lighting outlet, then patch the holes in the wall and
repaint.

Tools & Materials List

Required Tools for this Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time
and frustration.

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• Cordless drill
• Electrical tape
• Drywall saw
• Reciprocating saw
• Wood chisel

Fish tape

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's
a list.

• Electrical cable
• Nail guard (wire protector)

Printed From:
http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Electrical/Electrical-
Improvement/fishing-electrical-wire-through-walls

Copyright © 2012 The Family Handyman. All Rights Reserved.

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