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| Nearly all of my house's wiring is updated except for k&t running from the switches to the light fixture. Now this is perfectly safe as we all know. However, I would like to add some insulation to the attic and that means taking out the K&T for the second floor light fixtures.
Note that I have no attic access. What is the best way to replace this wiring with minimal damage to the lath & plaster? I am primarily concerned with how to fish the wire from the ceiling to the wall cavity without making a giant hole at the wall/ceiling intersection. I do not have crown molding in these rooms. How have some of you all handled this certainly fairly common task? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by columbusguy1 (My Page) on Mon, Sep 19, 11 at 13:59
| Civ, from my electrical book, I don't think you can avoid making a hole--but it doesn't have to be big--a couple inches should do it. Sort of confused by the statement 'no attic access'...if so, how are you adding the insulation? In my bedroom, they added a switch for the light by using wire channel--metal 'tubes' which are surface mounted to the wall/ceiling--not a great look, but it can be painted to match the room. The second bedroom has no light, but the electric outlets were run the same way just above the baseboards. |
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- Posted by civ_IV_fan (My Page) on Mon, Sep 19, 11 at 14:15
| yeah, i know there needs to be a hole, i'm just thinking about the size it would need to be to accommodate a drill, considering what it might be like to get around the top-plate. i have two gable vents that I think can be used to blow in insulation. i have some wiremold in another room, i don't really like the look of it if it can be avoided. thanks! |
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| You do not need a hole large enough for a drill, just a longer drill bit. 24 inch ships auger bits are how you get through top plates from below. You go through the wall at a shallow angle and then through the top plate from below. |
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- Posted by civ_IV_fan (My Page) on Mon, Sep 19, 11 at 15:00
| brickeyee -- so you are saying you can get by with just the long auger bit and not need to take out a chunk of lath and plaster, right....that would be remarkable. do you use like a 9/16" bit? |
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