Chasing TV Wires into Brickwork

[Jacobs53]

Hi All,

As per my previous post we are revamping our living room and we have decided to purchase a flat screen TV which we want to wall mount.

To ensure the TV looks good I thought chasing the wires into the existing plaster/brickwork was a great idea, until I realised that I have undertook something that might be out of the skill range.

Basically the TV is going to be wall mounted above a redundant fireplace and to the right of the fireplace is a recess where our plan was to put shelves for DVD player, Xbox etc... However, it meant that I had to chase the wall horizontally which according to building standards I am only allowed to remove 1/6th of the face.

In my eagerness to get moving I started to cut the brickwork with an angle grinder and then chisel out the brick area. I thought having a large width would enable me have less depth since all the cables will fit side by side rather than on top of each other. However, I am not at the 1/6th limit and I am concerned that I will be able to fit anything at all... that moment of realization when you stand back.

My question is, how can I get round this issue or am I just worrying too much? I was thinking of fitting the cables within oval conduit and then just plastering over the conduit, however I could have 3-4 conduits running horizontally, is this an issue?

Also the wall is a retaining wall for the joists on the 2nd floor, therefore I don't want to weaken the strength of the wall, so I have stopped looking for advice.

Here is a picture of how it looks now... sad state, I know...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/10koxy6tamqh0yz/20140223_130512.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/l7y9ovl29t4igvh/20140223_130527.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/eat5mywi3g5mlr5/20140223_130536.jpg

 

[sparkwright]

You only need to go so deep than the cables/conduit is just below the surface of the plaster.

There are cable zones you should follow showing where cables can be concealed. Horizontally or vertically in line with an accessory, or 150 mm within an internal vertival corner, or within 150 mm from below the ceiling.

Since it's an old fireplace, you would do a chase from the socket vertically to the ceiling, then horizontally within 150 mm from the bottom of the ceiling.

Coving will make a difference. If you have coving, either remove it and clip the cables to the wall and replace the coving. Or make holes in the coving, fish the wires through it, then fill the holes in.

Only chase as much as you need, but allow at least 4 mm of plaster over the conduits.

 

[bernardgreen]

If the fire place is NEVER going to be used as a fire place again then you might be able to drill through the wall into the chimney cavity from the wall wher the TV will be and from the alcove where the other stuff will be.

Then the cables can be threaded through... It would be advisable to put the cables in conduit in the void to protect them from soot, damp ( rain ) and other materials in the chimney,

 

[Jacobs53]

If the fire place is NEVER going to be used as a fire place again then you might be able to drill through the wall into the chimney cavity from the wall wher the TV will be and from the alcove where the other stuff will be.

Then the cables can be threaded through... It would be advisable to put the cables in conduit in the void to protect them from soot, damp ( rain ) and other materials in the chimney,

Hi Bernard,

We was considering this, however do we need to inform building controls if we disturb the chimney in any way? This could be potentially much easier than then method we are trying now...

 

[Taylortwocities]

We was considering this, however do we need to inform building controls if we disturb the chimney in any way? This could be potentially much easier than then method we are trying now...

Nah, and they wouldn't be interested. Just drill away, we wont tell anybody

 

[bernardgreen]

however do we need to inform building controls if we disturb the chimney in any way?

In theory the answer is yes. But most building control officers can be asked informally if they would want you to notify them. I would expect them to say no provided they are sure the chimney will never be used for any sort of fire. Chat in person, not on the phone as they will obey the rules on the phone in case the conversation is recorded ( for quality and training purposes )

You did not hear that from me..........

 

[ninnage]

If the fire place is NEVER going to be used as a fire place again then you might be able to drill through the wall into the chimney cavity from the wall wher the TV will be and from the alcove where the other stuff will be.

Then the cables can be threaded through... It would be advisable to put the cables in conduit in the void to protect them from soot, damp ( rain ) and other materials in the chimney,

I've done this in the past and it's much easier than chasing walls - cover the holes with one of these, job's a good'un: http://www.nexxia.co.uk/products.asp?s=Audio Wall Plates&c=Brushes Wall Plates Metal Finishes

Wouldn't even bother with conduit - the cables will be fine, although if you can be bothered run 2" flexible duct between your two exit points as I guarantee you in 12 months the one cable you need won't be there... and it's not unheard of for HDMI cables to fail.

 

[winston1]

Problem is, you may never want to use the fireplace again but a future owner might.

 

[Jacobs53]

I want to say thank you for all your replies, I was a nervous wreck last night thinking that I have buggered up my wall!!!!

I think we have a solution though which will not involve drilling through the chimney breast and using the channel which I have already done. It involves using the brushed faceplates that Ninnage recommended below. However, to prevent the wires getting plastered directly onto the brick we are going to use 20mm oval conduit which and split this into:

1) Power
2) Arial
3) Everything else

Unfortuntely, this method will mean that once we have plastered the wall it will be impossible to replace the wires due to the conduit size and the routing.... I just need to future proof the amount of wires - over to Ebay I go!

Once again just to say thank you for the advice.

If the fire place is NEVER going to be used as a fire place again then you might be able to drill through the wall into the chimney cavity from the wall wher the TV will be and from the alcove where the other stuff will be.

Then the cables can be threaded through... It would be advisable to put the cables in conduit in the void to protect them from soot, damp ( rain ) and other materials in the chimney,

I've done this in the past and it's much easier than chasing walls - cover the holes with one of these, job's a good'un: http://www.nexxia.co.uk/products.asp?s=Audio Wall Plates&c=Brushes Wall Plates Metal Finishes

Wouldn't even bother with conduit - the cables will be fine, although if you can be bothered run 2" flexible duct between your two exit points as I guarantee you in 12 months the one cable you need won't be there... and it's not unheard of for HDMI cables to fail.

 

[ninnage]

Problem is, you may never want to use the fireplace again but a future owner might.

Anyone opening an unknown flue should have it professionally checked before using it - the chimney could be capped or anything.