How to get network cable up/down cavity?

[john999uk]

I realise putting mains cables in a cavity is a no no but I need to get a cat5/6 cable from downstairs to upstairs in a dorma bungalow and thought the cavity might be a good route?

So does anyone have any tips to get a network cable through a cavity?
Cheers for any help.

Forgot to say the cavity has no insulation.

 

[Octopus]

Why don't you use a powerline adaptor system?

 

[john999uk]

Why don't you use a powerline adaptor system?

Cheers. I have not had great luck with them before plus they don't get very high data transfer rates even if they are rated at 1200Mbps.
Plus they aren't cheap and i have lots of cat5/6 cable

 

[Octopus]

^^ transfer rates are affected by RCD's, so if the 2 adaptors are on the same circuit then they should be OK.

As for expensive - not sure I agree

Why not use outdoor grade CAT5 and run it up the outside?

 

[mydigitalhome]

CAT6A or better external installed on outside wall is best bet. Remember always protect who you give your router password details to. As its like giving them the keys to your house. Never use default passwords anywhere.

 

[7029 dave]

Use a mouse. To drop down= something heavy piece of lead on a string pull in a draw wire and attach to said cable.

 

[john999uk]

Cheers all. Think I will go for outside cat6. It will be nice and reliable and fast.
Circuits are on different RCB's so not great for speed.
The 1200Mbps seem to be over £100. Where as exterior cat6 cable is about £10 for 10 meters.

 

[rolyberkin]

Drill a hole on an upward slant, push up some rods and then in the loft space attach Cat 6 external grade and pull downwards. I have had had varying degrees of success and snapped a few pull rods in the past, but always worth a bash.

 

[Leesparkykent]

The trick the cavity wall lads use when brushing off a cavity to next door is to drill a hole at the top, drill a hole at the bottom perfectly in line then feed a chain in through the top hole and fish it out the bottom hole with a wire coat hanger with a small hook formed into it....Naturaly the chain drops in a straight line due to the weight. Not that I'm advocating you use the cavity but sometimes needs must.

 

[Squid]

Trunking lid, just need some good wrist action.

 

[HandySparks]

Trunking lid, just need some good wrist action.

Get yersel' some proper rods, man!

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Get yersel' some proper rods, man!

I have a bundle of metal coat hangers from a car boot a few months back, they are my new favourite tool! cost me 50p. i haggled down from £1. make great little hooks and cable pulls with them

 

[GeorgeCooke]

Why don't you use a powerline adaptor system?

Never ever use those things. Mains cables are not designed for data and they will radiate interference for several hundred metres.

 

[Octopus]

Never ever use those things. Mains cables are not designed for data and they will radiate interference for several hundred metres.

Really? For some people these are the only solution.

 

[Spoon]

I have powerline adapters in my house. Had no problem with them and think they are great for what I need.

Not wanting to state the obvious.... Just make sure the house doesn't have 'cavity wall insulation'. Will defo change the way you do things.

 

[elsparko]

Get yersel' some proper rods, man!

get yourself some steel fence wire bro

 

[Spoon]

or a mouse with some string tied to it, and some cheese...

 

[GeorgeCooke]

Really? For some people these are the only solution.

So what would those people do if they didn't exist?

 

[elsparko]

So what would those people do if they didn't exist?

magic?

 

[GeorgeCooke]

I have powerline adapters in my house. Had no problem with them and think they are great for what I need.

Generally it is your neighbours who have the problem.

Powerline HomePlug Adapters – The Pros and Cons - https://www.frequencycast.co.uk/powerline.html

 

[DJ Ovengloves]

That’s a seven year old article!

 

[Octopus]

Generally it is your neighbours who have the problem.

Powerline HomePlug Adapters – The Pros and Cons - https://www.frequencycast.co.uk/powerline.html

Interesting but there is nothing to stop anyone using these, and sometimes they are necessary.

 

[elsparko]

just do it the BT or SKY way, leave the cable hanging on the outside unclipped, possibly tiewrapped once to a gutter

 

[GeorgeCooke]

Interesting but there is nothing to stop anyone using these, and sometimes they are necessary.

Sorry i don't agree they are necessary. There is always a way be it a bit awkward. As I said what would you so if they did not exist?

Ofcom have in fact dealt with several hundred complaints of interference in particular with Comtrend types supplied by BT who were asked to remove them.

 

[Octopus]

Sorry i don't agree they are necessary..

Not sure I agree with you. Some times there is no other option

 

[Spoon]

Everyone to their own opinions. I like the Powerline Adapters.
If they did not exist then I wouldn't like them...
I would either scrap the idea of extending the coms or have to have the cable fitted.

 

[sparkdog]

Used to use the mouse all the time when cables were run in cavities a few years ago. Bit of string with a small chain in it, drill a hole at the top, drop it in and fish it out another hole below. Used to be quite exciting hearing it dropping down inside the wall and fishing it out.

 

[elsparko]

Used to use the mouse all the time when cables were run in cavities a few years ago. Bit of string with a small chain in it, drill a hole at the top, drop it in and fish it out another hole below. Used to be quite exciting hearing it dropping down inside the wall and fishing it out.

exciting till it gets half way down the first wall and hits mr dwang, i like working in older homes where it does just go right from the loft all the way to the bottom floor

 

[bigspark17]

Dont like the powerline option! People should always wire in a hardwired data system now when doing major renovating/rewiring/new build. I dont see a problem running the cat5e down the cavaties

 

[john999uk]

Cheers for all the suggestions. I have ordered some cat6 suitable for outdoor use
So just a couple of holes to drill and a bit of clipping.

Thanks again.