Any advice on rewires?

[HappyHippyDad]

I have perhaps done 6 rewires now. They are hard work and I wonder if there are ways to make them easier as I have another 2 much larger ones (3 and 4 storey houses) coming up.

I typically take around 2 weeks for a 3 bed house. This is working flat out (by myself) everyday including one or 2 Saturdays and I feel that is a little longer than most of you would take, or is it about right?

I have just bought the metabo mfe40 wall chaser and hopefully that will speed things up. Are there any tips for using chasers? I'm guessing they just make nice neat notches either side of the chase which you then remove with an SDS chisel? Do you always then use oval conduit which you secure to the wall with the oval conduit holders or is there a quicker way?

Cheers all and hope you are having a relaxing Saturday!

Ps.. I'm awaiting the arrival of the triple blade for the metabo, anyone use it yet? Does it actually take out the middle of the chase well?
pps.. What size conduit do you generally use for 1mm, 2.5mm, 6mm, ring etc etc?

 

[pc1966]

Simple answer is get an electrician's mate!

Yes, that is half-joking as it is a big commitment to employ others. But I expect that having another competent (or even semi-competant) person to feed cables through, help holding stuff for alignment/drilling, fetching stuff if you are up to your elbows on a difficult bit, etc, would speed things enormously.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Simple answer is get an electrician's mate!

Yes, that is half-joking as it is a big commitment to employ others. But I expect that having another competent (or even semi-competant) person to feed cables through, help holding stuff for alignment/drilling, fetching stuff if you are up to your elbows on a difficult bit, etc, would speed things enormously.

You're absolutely right PC, and I expect it would speed things up by more than double making it very worth while finacially. However..... I love working by myself, dancing along to the radio, answering back to Jeremy Vine and occasionally concentrating very hard on a very tricky bit, all of which wouldn't be quite the same with someone else around

 

[pc1966]

You're absolutely right PC, and I expect it would speed things up by more than double making it very worth while finacially. However..... I love working by myself, dancing along to the radio, answering back to Jeremy Vine and occasionally concentrating very hard on a very tricky bit, all of which wouldn't be quite the same with someone else around

You need to see if Jeremy Vine wants to re-train as a mate!

 

[HappyHippyDad]

You need to see if Jeremy Vine wants to re-train as a mate!

Good reply :-0 (cant do proper smiley faces any more)
Now that would solve my dilemma wouldn't it!

 

[loz2754]

I have perhaps done 6 rewires now. They are hard work and I wonder if there are ways to make them easier as I have another 2 much larger ones (3 and 4 storey houses) coming up.

I typically take around 2 weeks for a 3 bed house. This is working flat out (by myself) everyday including one or 2 Saturdays and I feel that is a little longer than most of you would take, or is it about right?

I have just bought the metabo mfe40 wall chaser and hopefully that will speed things up. Are there any tips for using chasers? I'm guessing they just make nice neat notches either side of the chase which you then remove with an SDS chisel? Do you always then use oval conduit which you secure to the wall with the oval conduit holders or is there a quicker way?

Cheers all and hope you are having a relaxing Saturday!

Ps.. I'm awaiting the arrival of the triple blade for the metabo, anyone use it yet? Does it actually take out the middle of the chase well?
pps.. What size conduit do you generally use for 1mm, 2.5mm, 6mm, ring etc etc?

Have a look at this, go from about 5 mins 20 secs in...

 

[Burtones]

Simple answer is get an electrician's mate!

Yes, that is half-joking as it is a big commitment to employ others. But I expect that having another competent (or even semi-competant) person to feed cables through, help holding stuff for alignment/drilling, fetching stuff if you are up to your elbows on a difficult bit, etc, would speed things enormously.

Rather than employ someone could you pay for a mate from an agency for 2-3 days? Just to get the cables run in as that's always the tricky part on your own- up and down stairs a hundred times and them in and out the loft for the lights! Don't know how expensive it would be or even if you can get labour for that short a term but then you could carry on rest if first fix and then second fix by yourself if that's what you prefer.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

I recommend learning a few emergency plumbing moves before breaking out the chaser, just for when the inevitable happens

 

[UNG]

Are these lived in or empty property rewires you have been doing

 

[Leesparkykent]

Chase out, oval conduit and secure with screws just pinching the oval.

 

[loz2754]

Chase out, oval conduit and secure with screws just pinching the oval.

I've always used metal capping, it's how I was taught.
But I've seen several discussions on rewires that mention the use of oval conduit. Might give it a try on my next one...

 

[Burtones]

Chase out, oval conduit and secure with screws just pinching the oval.

So much quicker and easier than capping ?

 

[Leesparkykent]

You don’t have to chase out so wide with oval.

 

[loz2754]

You don’t have to chase out so wide with oval.

Bonus.
What size oval would I need?

 

[Mike Johnson]

In days gone by most electricians used to get in outside contractor to cut the chase's after marking up the walls is this not done anymore? would make the process much quicker.

 

[Baddegg]

If the place is empty I generally spend a morning marking up on the walls where I want the chases and boxes etc then sub that work out to someone on price....then come back once it’s all cleaned up ?

 

[Wilko]

If the place is empty I generally spend a morning marking up on the walls where I want the chases and boxes etc then sub that work out to someone on price....then come back once it’s all cleaned up ?

Yeah, well just to let you know I’m putting me prices up for the next one ...

 

[mattg4321]

25mm oval fits perfectly in the chases. Either screws or nails to hold it back. Much easier than capping.

Best way to speed up is to get some help with running cables and chasing especially.

 

[Mike Johnson]

If the place is empty I generally spend a morning marking up on the walls where I want the chases and boxes etc then sub that work out to someone on price....then come back once it’s all cleaned up ?

Now I'm beginning to get a complex, you have three Like's for the above post and I said near enough exactly the same in the post immediately above and did not get one.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Thank's Vortigern I feel better now.

 

[Vortigern]

5 days for a 3 bed house.
1 Power off - all fitting removed- with hammer etc. no fiddling with screws
2 all chases done
3 all cables in
4 all accessories back boxes fit and plastered in
6 all accessories fitted
7 CU on and done and tested dead and live
clear up get out get paid
oh and give Mike a Like

 

[Dustydazzler]

If you do regular re-wires 100% get a lad / labourer in to do the chasing , boxes , drill out joists etc a few days in advance. Let the dust and dirt settle.
you then rock up and can wire , box , tube and stay nice and clean...

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Have a look at this, go from about 5 mins 20 secs in...

I was just looking at that video yesterday! I'll give a review myself on here in a few months when I've used it a bit.

Rather than employ someone could you pay for a mate from an agency for 2-3 days? Just to get the cables run in as that's always the tricky part on your own- up and down stairs a hundred times and them in and out the loft for the lights! Don't know how expensive it would be or even if you can get labour for that short a term but then you could carry on rest if first fix and then second fix by yourself if that's what you prefer.

I may think about that as lots of you seem to say the same thing, i.e get help.

I recommend learning a few emergency plumbing moves before breaking out the chaser, just for when the inevitable happens

Definitely! I have no idea how to fix a pipe if I go into it. Done it twice now and each time I've had a plumber on hand, but one day........

Are these lived in or empty property rewires you have been doing

A mixture.

Chase out, oval conduit and secure with screws just pinching the oval.

Why not use the conduit clips Lee? It would be the same time to screw a clip in as to just screw a screw in?

25mm oval fits perfectly in the chases. Either screws or nails to hold it back. Much easier than capping.

Best way to speed up is to get some help with running cables and chasing especially.

Why 25mm? I'm guessing 2 x 2.5mm fit in a 20mm oval?

5 days for a 3 bed house.
1 Power off - all fitting removed- with hammer etc. no fiddling with screws
2 all chases done
3 all cables in
4 all accessories back boxes fit and plastered in
6 all accessories fitted
7 CU on and done and tested dead and live
clear up get out get paid
oh and give Mike a Like

Are the numbers relating to days or order Vortigern? Is this by yourself or with a helper(s)?

If you do regular re-wires 100% get a lad / labourer in to do the chasing , boxes , drill out joists etc a few days in advance. Let the dust and dirt settle.
you then rock up and can wire , box , tube and stay nice and clean...

As above, a number of you have mentioned help with the chases. I think it's time I gave it some thought.

 

[Vortigern]

Are the numbers relating to days or order Vortigern? Is this by yourself or with a helper(s)?

Numbers are order of events. Mostly on my own, someone chasing mostly as helper.

 

[Baddegg]

Conduit clips mean the oval stands out a bit far @happyhippydad, not much and anything that do t need to chased us a bonus, as per @Leesparkykent i just drill in behind at an angle plug it and then pinch the oval with a screw keeps it tight till the biding goes over ?

I am intending to try it with wall dog and no plugs just to speed things up a bit more ?

 

[Burtones]

Why 25mm? I'm guessing 2 x 2.5mm fit in a 20mm oval

They do, but need to perfectly straight as you feed them in- 25mm is just easier for 2x2.5mm and needed for 6 or 10mm

 

[Burtones]

I am intending to try it with wall dog and no plugs just to speed things up a bit more ?

Depending on the strength and condition of the existing mortar, you can sometimes get a good fix with clout nails (the thicker 3. something mm ones). Saves on drilling and plugging- not sure what wall dog is by the way

 

[Mike Johnson]

Appendix E of the OSG gives cable capacities of conduit.

 

[Baddegg]

Depending on the strength and condition of the existing mortar, you can sometimes get a good fix with clout nails (the thicker 3. something mm ones). Saves on drilling and plugging- not sure what wall dog is by the way

Wall dog....screws that don’t need plugs....quite pricey...but that sounds like a customer problem ?

 

[loz2754]

Appendix E of the OSG gives cable capacities of conduit.

Yes - but only for single core insulated cables. Not 3 core insulated and sheathed AKA twin and earth.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Or these driven into the mortar joints: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233191870707 They only need to hold until the first coat of plaster goes on.

Why put T&E in a conduit?

 

[Vortigern]

always used galv clouts 1.5 inch into mortar, then on with a few blobs of bonding. Sets fast next day fill in with bonding the skim next day.

 

[Baddegg]

Or these driven into the mortar joints: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233191870707 They only need to hold until the first coat of plaster goes on.

Why put T&E in a conduit?

Plasterers....

 

[Dustydazzler]

Also goes without saying a decent twin disk wall chases and strong hoover attached are an absolute must..
I remember back in the 1990s doing my apprenticeship having to stitch drill chases then knock out the middle with a hammer and old beat up wood chisel...

 

[Pretty Mouth]

Wall dog....screws that don’t need plugs....quite pricey...but that sounds like a customer problem ?

How have you found those walldogs generally @Baddegg ? I find them useful for fixing direct to plasterboard, and they're supposed to be good direct to thermolite block. But I haven't found them to be much use in anything harder.

 

[loz2754]

Why put T&E in a conduit?

From what I gather from the other chaps, it's just to hold the cable in the chase.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Or these driven into the mortar joints: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233191870707 They only need to hold until the first coat of plaster goes on.

Why put T&E in a conduit?

conduit allows for future rewiring / later alterations / additional wiring to be pulled in.
if you simply plaster in the cables the next bloke has absolutely no chance pulling in a new cable...

 

[Mike Johnson]

Don't understand your post Dusty, the hooks I put the link up for are to hold conduit in the chase?

The post above mentioned T&E and I was asking why you would put T&E in Conduit rather than single core.

 

[Baddegg]

How have you found those walldogs generally @Baddegg ? I find them useful for fixing direct to plasterboard, and they're supposed to be good direct to thermolite block. But I haven't found them to be much use in anything harder.

Love em mate, drill a smaller hole than stated and use an impact you’ll get a good fixing into brick work for back boxes, and agian once the bonding goes in and round the box it’s going nowhere

 

[Mike Johnson]

This French guide on max amount of cables in Conduit may be of help, but may not be within the UK regs:

 

[Micktw68]

Don't understand your post Dusty, the hooks I put the link up for are to hold conduit in the chase?

The post above mentioned T&E and I was asking why you would put T&E in Conduit rather than single core.

Because the rest of the install is below The boards and clipped direct T&E you’d end up with junction boxes at every drop to a point. Very rare to have a Domestic completely run in conduit .

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Conduit clips mean the oval stands out a bit far @happyhippydad, not much and anything that do t need to chased us a bonus, as per @Leesparkykent i just drill in behind at an angle plug it and then pinch the oval with a screw keeps it tight till the biding goes over ?

I am intending to try it with wall dog and no plugs just to speed things up a bit more ?

Do you use 20mm or 25mm oval conduit for 2 x 2.5mm twin &E baddegg?

 

[Micktw68]

I use 20mm oval HIppyDad ,just need to make sure the cables arent twisted and get pulled in evenly. I use the tower c clips to hold it in position, occasionally I when I run out Of clips I screw a couple of screws either side to pinch it into position. A squirt of werth Vaseline spray and a couple of turns of white tape around the end stops the tube from splitting. Get yourself a Rack a tier cable stand ,helps enormously when pulling in on your own.

 

[Micktw68]

Oh and add £1500 on to the price if the punter doesnt want to vacate during the work....occupied rewires are a massive pain in the ---

 

[Zerax]

Get yourself a Rack a tier cable stand ,helps enormously when pulling in on your own.

+1 for a spooler for pulling cables on your own... I try to pull multiple cables if I can... so having space on the spooler for more than 1 reel is a bonus.

 

[Baddegg]

Do you use 20mm or 25mm oval conduit for 2 x 2.5mm twin &E baddegg?

20mm mate....it is tight but it goes...to be fair though if you are using your metabo then 20 or 25 won’t make much difference...

 

[Zerax]

I use the cheap Erbauer chaser which gives a perfect width chase for 25mm oval conduit from Toolstation.... just needs a little tap with a block of wood to snug it into the back of the chase... no need for fixings before plastering.

 

[LewisM]

Oh and add £1500 on to the price if the punter doesnt want to vacate during the work....occupied rewires are a massive pain in the ---

Think I'd rather starve then do occupied rewires.

 

[GBDamo]

Always worth checking with mortar, cinder and concrete block as quite often you can get a reasonable fixing by going straight in with a standard screw and impact driver, just don't over tighten.

Useful for holding oval until filled, positioning trunking, not so much for mounting a DB.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Oh and add £1500 on to the price if the punter doesnt want to vacate during the work....occupied rewires are a massive pain in the ---

I wont even do them anymore ...