Rewire house using existing cable runs?

[Kamikazie Minotaur]

When rewiring a house is it necessary for electricians to chase walls and ceilings, can't they existing cables runs to pull new cables through?

 

[Pete999]

When rewiring a house is it necessary for electricians to chase walls and ceilings, can't they existing cables runs to pull new cables through?

If the existing cables are in conduit etc then there is no reason why not, providing the new cables are within the approved zones.

 

[Andy78]

Yes they can where possible, but some degree of disruption is inevitable.

 

[Octopus]

When rewiring a house is it necessary for electricians to chase walls and ceilings, can't they existing cables runs to pull new cables through?

why do you ask?

Most rewires involve changes and additions - so some runs may be useful...........

 

[HappyHippyDad]

It's not as simple as that. Floorboards will almost definitely need to come up. New chases are very likely even if they are in the same place (as very, very few cables are in conduit) as you cant pull cables through plaster. A rewire usually causes lots of mess and lots of disruption. Best to move out and come back a week or 2 later to a lovely clean house when it's finished, albeit full of chases to fill!

 

[ipf]

A rewire usually causes lots of mess and lots of disruption. Best to move out and come back a week or 2 later to a lovely clean house when it's finished, albeit full of chases to fill!

Only to be full of more mess after plastering....

 

[Wes1000]

when chasing walls for cable runs I always put in flat plastic conduit when possible so as to allow changes later on. doesn't really cost more and costumers are happy with it when I explain that it could avoid chasing walls again in the future.

 

[Devonchris]

and costumers are happy with it when I explain that it could avoid chasing

How many costumers have you chased lately?

 

[Midwest]

when chasing walls for cable runs I always put in flat plastic conduit when possible so as to allow changes later on. doesn't really cost more and costumers are happy with it when I explain that it could avoid chasing walls again in the future.

The sparks in fifty years time will thank you for that; thats if electrickery flows in cables then

 

[Pete999]

When rewiring a house is it necessary for electricians to chase walls and ceilings, can't they existing cables runs to pull new cables through?

If the existing cables are in conduit etc then there is no reason why not, providing the new cables are within the approved zones.

 

[Deleted account]

why do you ask?

Still waiting for that reply!

 

[Octopus]

seen a couple of new builds with just clips holding the cables in place - hope the plasterer didn't damage the cables.......

 

[123]

This side of the pond we use conduit tracked into the walls. Will it be any use if you are rewiring a house? Unlikely right now as unless it was a horror install the electrical installation will be from the 80's (at best) or much older. In which case the location and number of socket outlets will not really be suitable for modern living.

Lighting is a bit different, if they aren't going full refurb and changing the doors and keeping them hinged as they are then conduit drops could be reused, but if an older installation then back box would need replaced (have come across round conduit boxes, wooden "backboxes", no backboxes, plastic back boxes, and in some of the more recent rewires silly 16mm depth 1 gang back boxes.

 

[Pete999]

It's not as simple as that. Floorboards will almost definitely need to come up. New chases are very likely even if they are in the same place (as very, very few cables are in conduit) as you cant pull cables through plaster. A rewire usually causes lots of mess and lots of disruption. Best to move out and come back a week or 2 later to a lovely clean house when it's finished, albeit full of chases to fill!

You obviously haven't done that many Social Housing rewires Mate lots of switch drops done in split metal conduits, as well as Sockets, difficult to rewire but not impossible if you know what you are about, something they don't teach, only experience will provide that skill set.

 

[ipf]

You obviously haven't done that many Social Housing rewires Mate lots of switch drops done in split metal conduits, as well as Sockets, difficult to rewire but not impossible if you know what you are about, something they don't teach, only experience will provide that skill set.

Once found this on a rewire, Pete. Innovative or what?