No chasing rewire?

[Benny_Boy]

Evening chaps,

Got a rewire to do in a couple of weeks, the owner has already had it decorated (Doh!) and really doesn't want it chased.

The original wiring is in old black enamel conduit. Anyone had any joy pulling anything down that old stuff before?

Or should I just tell the chap he's looking at a redecorating bill as well?

cheers

 

[Amp David]

50/50 chance of it working using the old conduit.

Just hope they aint got wooden backboxes are he'll be paying for a bit of redecoration.

 

[Adam W]

Theoretically it should be as easy as drawing wires through new conduit; if you use the old wires as draw wires, stick a bit of yellow 77 in the top and it should be a doddle.

On the other hand it could all be imperial and all the boxes rusted away.

I always wonder why anyone would decorate before rewiring.

 

[ezzzekiel]

either way there will be some damage here and there - best to prepare him for it

 

[Gordie]

I have rewired lights which are wired using black conduit and it can be done it all depends if there is a 4x4 box more or less at the centre of the wiring that be accessed or is it fitted using just the round boxs. The 4x4 box is a little easier as you may only need to lift the boards where is box is situated. You may also find that the ring sockets are also wired through the 4x4 box so care should be taken. If it is wired using the small round boxs then it is not so easy you have to try to locate all of them so you can pull the wires through. Best of luck buddy I had to do two of those on my own many years ago and each one took me a week to do but the sockets were rewired in pvc and no chasing was needed. It sounds like you have a right nightmare of a job to do there you would have thought the householder would have known there would need to be chasing done before they decided to redecorate. mind you they most likely think all we need to do is tie a cable on at one end and pull it at the other.

 

[Benny_Boy]

Yep, that's kind of what I thought. The lights should be no prob as I'll just do switch drops but the ring is a different matter all together. I was wondering if singles would be easier than 2x2.5mm T+E to squeeze down the damn stuff. I'm not sure all the fairy liquid in the world will ease the passage! oo-er misses

 

[Spudnik]

As others have said, you will never rewire the place without there being some form of redecoration and filling.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Is it a 20mm or imperial equivalent solid conduit system ,or the old black slip tube??............

 

[Robinson]

yeah i woul;d be interested to see if imperial or 20mm....guessing imperial....I have had joy in the past (Imperial/lighting) wired in singles and couple of times managed to get a 1mm t&e for switch drops...plenty of lube did help...has the conduit had weathered. BUt as Jason S said NEver have i done a full rewire without a bit of filler or making good... all the best..

by the way sites looking goodguys

 

[jeremy]

Singles dfinitely the easiest and some more flexible than others. And yellow 77 lubey stuff wont corrode insulation. Dont know if Fairy will but it does degrade rubber. Have fun!

 

[kung]

Its times like that i pref ind/com work !

 

[Spudnik]

Its times like that i pref ind/com work !

Lightweight

 

[Adam W]

I agree with those who agreed with my ideas.

 

[kung]

Lightweight

Kewtech or Socket & see ? oh i missread thought you were saying lightmate !
2 can play that game !
lightbulb ! yer low energy !

 

[Guest123]

PVC mini trunking it is then.....