There are cables that bring phone, TV, and internet into your home.They are usually coaxial or ethernet cables.When a house is built, these wires are usually installed, but you can retrofit your home if this wasn't done during construction.You need to plan the locations and routes of your cable.Cut holes in the wall for the distribution panel.You can run the cables from this point to the attic.You can distribute the cables from the attic.It's a big job, but you can do it with patience and knowledge.
Step 1: There are rooms that need a cable hookup.
You should plan the path for your wires.The rooms that need a cable hookup should be identified by looking at the plan of the house.Any room with a TV, phone, or computer needs one.In case, some contractors like to run wires into every room.If you decide to hook up a cable in another room, you don't have to run new wires.If you only use wi-fi for your internet access, you won't need cables in every room.
Step 2: You can easily access the wiring panel if you position it in a central location.
All of your home's network wires are connected to the wiring panel.To find the best location, look for a point in your home that is out of the way and where you can easily run wires to.Contractors prefer to put these boxes in the basement because it is easy to run the wires through the walls and other rooms.A laundry room is a popular choice.In a closet or a room that visitors don't enter, consider locating the wiring panels.Structured wiring panels are sometimes called distribution boxes.Don't get confused if a website or contractor uses one of these terms.
Step 3: Pick out the route of the wires from the distribution panel.
The attic and the crawl space are where cables feed throughout the house.The attic is more popular since not all homes have a crawl space.Make sure the wiring panel location has hollow walls that you can run wires through.The majority of sheet rock walls are suitable.There is a point in this area where you can feed a wire into the attic.You don't need to measure these cables.When the cable reaches the end of its route, you can cut or roll it.You can get a general idea of the route the wires will take with the wiring plan.You can check the blueprints of your house to see if there are any routes you don't know about.If you don't have electrical wires running through the holes in the wall, you can use them to run cables.The signal will be interfered with by electrical wires.If all the holes have wires, you have to drill new ones.
Step 4: Take a look at where each cable will go.
The cables go from the attic to the rest of the house.Make a plan for all the rooms.Map where each cable will feed through the attic and where it will enter each room.There are cables in the attic inside the walls.If you want to do a less visually appealing job, you can cut through the room's ceiling and feed the cable down.
Step 5: If you do not know where to start, use a program to draw a wiring plan.
If you don't know how to draw a diagram or use your home blueprints, look for a software program to help.There are many products that allow you to plug in cables in your home.You can follow the wiring plan produced by the programs easily.Some programs are free.To find the best one for you, research different ones.Don't use a cheap program if it's not a quality one.You can use the free trials to plan one job.If the program you're interested in offers a trial, that's a good sign.
Step 6: The power should be turned off
While you won't be working with live cables, you will be drilling into walls where electrical wires are.Before you start work, turn off your home's power.Turn the main switch off if you find your breaker box.
Step 7: The studs are where the wiring panel will be.
The wiring panel needs to be between 2 well studs.You can find the studs by sliding a stud finder along the wall.Work in the space between the 2 studs on the wall.You can tap on the wall if you don't have a stud finder.There is no stud if you hear a hollow sound.A quick sound indicates that you've tapped on a stud.It gives you an idea of where the studs are.
Step 8: The inspection hole between the studs should be cut by 4 in 10 cm.
Make sure the wall section has no obstructions behind it when you choose a point for your wiring panel.There is a square on the wall.Cut away this square section with a drywall saw.If you have a flashlight, look inside for wires or pipes.If you see wires behind the wall, use a different section.Don't worry about the damage to your walls.After the job is done, you can patch it.
Step 9: The distribution point needs to be cut away from the wallboard.
If there are no obstructions behind this wall, remove the wall section.You can cut out the wall between the two studs with a drywall saw.The stud points are 2 inches down from the ceiling.Cut across the wall to reach the other stud.The bottom of the wall needs to be done the same way.You can connect the two ends of the cuts by cutting vertically.When you're done cutting, remove this section of wall.If you have a partner nearby, they can help you lift the wall section out.
Step 10: A structured wiring panel is needed to keep your cables organized.
A wiring panel keeps cables organized better than hanging them on the wall.Purchase a wiring panel from a hardware store.You just cut out the wall section.The wiring panel should be against the studs.Attach the box to the studs with a power drill.There are screws in the box.Someone else is holding the box up while you drill.It is possible to have a wiring panel.You don't have to buy one if you want to save money.
Step 11: The ceiling plate has a hole through it.
There is a wood block above the wall section.A boring drill bit is 2.5 in.Press it against the ceiling plate.If there is a floor below the panel that needs cable access, drill a hole through the plate floor.Measure the distance from the wall to the hole.If you can't find the point above the distribution box, this will help you locate the attic hole.
Step 12: You can drill a hole above the distribution panel.
You can find the distribution panel in the attic.Then use the same drill bit to cut a hole through the floor.If you want to create a hole in the attic, you'll have to drill through 2 blocks of wood.If you can't find the distribution point, use the measurement you took when you drilled the first hole.To find the distance in the attic, run your tape measure from the same wall.At this point, drill.Wear a dust mask if you have loose fiberglass insulation in your attic.
Step 13: You need to drill access holes above the rooms.
You can find cable access above the rooms in the attic.Make holes with the 2.5 in boring drill bit.Through these holes, the cables will exit the attic.
Step 14: You should mark the rooms that the cables will feed into.
You can run a cable into each room.Find the location where you want your cable outlet.Then use a ruler to draw a box on the wall.You need cable access in every room.If you know the location of the appliances, mark the holes near them.They can be found near an existing electrical outlet.Before selecting a location, check for studs behind the wall.Don't cut in an area with studs.
Step 15: Draw a box on the wall.
You can use a saw to cut through the lines on the wall.When you cut all the way around, remove the square of drywall.You should repeat this for every room you run a cable into.
Step 16: Place the locations for all the wires.
You should mark each cable so you remember its destination.Wrap a piece of white tape around the wire.Write where the cable goes on a permanent marker.Write TV room, office, and bedroom on the cables.It's much easier to make repairs if you label them.You know which wire to pull from the distribution box if a wire goes bad.
Step 17: Attach your cables to the wall in the attic.
Two people are usually feeding the wires.One person pushes the wire through the origin point while the other pulls it out of the hole at the destination point.Feed the wire through the hole above the distribution box.You should repeat this process for every wire you install.The best product for making this job easier is fish tape.Feed it from the attic until the person at the distribution box can grab it.Attach the wire to the end of the fish tape.Pull the fish tape up while the other person works through the hole in the attic.If you don't have fish tape, you can pull the wire up by taping it to a piece of string.Slowly work cables through the walls.If they get stuck, don't pull or jerk them.
Step 18: The wires need to be run through the holes above the rooms.
Bring the wires to the hole in the attic that they have to feed through.One person should feed the cables through the hole to the destination while another person pulls the cable out from the wall.The fishing tape can be used again to make this job easier.You can keep the wires out of the way by taping them to the rafters.Do not staple them.Replacing the wires could be difficult because of the damage that Staples could do.
Step 19: You need to pull the cables through the wall outlets.
Pull the cable through the outlet holes you made.You can run cables to your appliances from here.If you want to hide the cables, install a wall cover that runs from the outlet to the appliance.Hardware stores have these.