Network Cable Install

[Phizix]

Hi all,

I'm currently exploring the viability of installing a single Cat5 network cable that will run from my office in my third bedroom down to my pantry directly underneath. I'm thinking this will need to run through the wall and outside.

I'm wondering what the best way to do this would be. In my old home, I literally just created holes in both sections of the wall to allow access, then ran the cables through, fitting a Cat5e plug once I reached my computer/router.

However, my new home is a three-year-old Barrett's property, and when tapping the wall, it sounds as though there's a drywall layer between the brick and the finished wall surface. I'm wondering whether you think there may be enough space between the brick and the drywall to install something like the image below to make it look a bit prettier and tidier.

I presume I would also need to purchase an old-work box, as shown below, to allow the faceplate to sit inside?

If anyone can advise on the best course of action, I'd be extremely grateful.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Wayners]

I run a 10m cable then fitted cat 5 ethernet plug on the end.
Easy enough to do. You can buy plugs and the kit cheap enough.
That's if you want to make your own cable and feed it through.

If you're got dot and dab board it will have adhesive all the way around the board edge which is a problem for cables.
If you can fish a wire between the board and the wall and get it all inside the gap then that will be tidy.
If you take skirting off that can help.
You can also make small holes in wall to feed cable through.

Just out if interest. What's wrong with WiFi? The WiFi can be faster than a cable.

 

[mattylad]

The "old work box" you show appears rectangular - this would make it a US product and not suitable for the UK.
A simple single gang backbox will suffice - whether it be surface mounting or plasterboard mounting.

BTW, best advice I can give is - if you can run 2 cables, the 2nd one becomes a spare or better still connect that to the router too.
As for whats in the wall/floor/ceiling - you will have to investigate into that yourself.

 

[robinbanks]

a single Cat5

You’d probably install a cat6 these days

The WiFi can be faster than a cable

Er. No

still connect that to the router too

And have two sockets in the office?

If the single install is very difficult I’d probably just cut my losses and have a switch in the office if I needed more ports

 

[mattylad]

If getting a single wire installed is that hard you will be up schitts creek if that one has a problem, a 2nd cable becomes very useful then

 

[Phizix]

Thank you all for the swift responses.

In relation to why I don't just use Wi‑Fi: two of the servers I use have no Wi‑Fi capability, and I want to keep them closed-loop, meaning wired-only.

Regarding the installation, I suspect I'll just drill a hole in the wall and feed the cable through. I'll run a single cable and fit a switch in the office to give me multiple connections. If I ever need to replace the outer cable, that should be a quick enough job.

I did mean Cat6 cable, not Cat5e (it was a long day!)

Are there any recommendations for something to reseal the hole on the outer wall side? Perhaps a rubberised waterproof sealant or something similar?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Are there any recommendations for something to reseal the hole on the outer wall side? Perhaps a rubberised waterproof sealant or something similar?

Finding an internal route, would be much better....

Through the floor, the ceiling, then down behind a curtain, would hide most of it, or run some plastic trunking, floor to ceiling.

 

[robinbanks]

If you’re drilling through an external wall drill at a slight angle so any water would have to run uphill to get in. For the lower hole take the wire down in an U shaped loop before going up to the hole. Any suitably xoooured silicone sealant will be fine, pull the ore out the hole slightly, sealant applied and than push the wire in so it drags sealant in with it

^^ first pic I found to demonstrate the U loop. Doesn’t in any way demonstrate the quantity of silicone I recommend. Minimum possible