Thanks to wireless technology, people can connect computers and other related devices within a building without using network cables. However, some situations will force you to use wired network cables to achieve your goal.
Running a cable from the basement to the second floor isn’t an easy task. It involves measuring and drilling through the walls to pull the cable upstairs. You may need to hire a professional to help you out if you’re not one yourself.
This article illustrates a few techniques and the tools required to understand the general sense of running the cable from your basement to the second floor.
Tools
- Hammer
- Measuring tape
- Cable mount
- A drill bit that is ¾ inch
- Cordless drill
- Network cable(Ethernet)
- Masking tape
- Wireless hanger
Step-by-Step Guide
The most common internet cables used in the home network are Ethernet cables. They come in various sizes and types and are always available in the market. Plenum and Riser Ethernet cables, for instance, are widely used in homes for two reasons. They’re ideal for walls and also have a high fire retardant rating.
Guide: Run Ethernet Cable through Ceiling
Overall, you first have to ensure you’re using the correct type of Ethernet cable in your walls. Here is a step-by-step guide you can follow to help you run your Ethernet cables from the basement to the second floor or upstairs.
Step1: Measure the Distance between the Computer Devices That You Want To Connect With the Cable
Since the cable will be running from one gadget to the one on the second floor, you must first get the distance between them. This distance will help you know the length of cable you should buy. Remember, the cable will have to go through the walls, floors, and baseboards before getting to the room on the second floor. For this reason, you must also get the measurements between the walls and baseboards to avoid miscalculation.
To be on the safer side, you can add 10 ft. extra on your final measurement. It’s better to end up with an extra cable length at the end of this exercise than terminate it midway due to insufficient cable length.
Step2: Access Point Allocation
Before drilling through the wall, you need to allocate the access point somewhere between the floors. The Ethernet cable needs to pass through an access point closest to the device at the basement running through to the device on the second floor. Therefore, your access point spot should be very close to the basement’s wall. It’s even better if you can put it directly above the computer device or gadget in the basement.
Don’t get the access point anywhere near your home’s wiring, including overhead lighting and light switches. In fact, before you can begin drilling through the wall, ensure you turn off the main electricity source. This precaution will ensure you don’t get an electric shock should the drill pass through live wiring.
Step 3: Drilling Through the Walls
Here is where the cordless drill comes in handy. You can use it to drill through the floors since your home’s electricity is off. Then, the ¾ inch drill bit will help you to open the floor. While still at it, ensure the drill is at 90 degrees to the floor that you’re drilling.
Once done drilling through the subfloor, pull out the whole setoff drill, then remove the drill bit. Later, take your 16-inch extension and attach it to the cordless drill. Also, on the extension, fix back the ¾ inch drill bit before returning the whole set to the hole created in the subfloor pointing at 90 degrees. You now have to use this set to drill through the ceiling, where you can also stop once you pass through the ceiling.
Step 4: Mounting Your Ethernet Cable
Now, make use of your cable mounts to install the cable. The cable installation should begin on the second floor, coming down to the basement running the cable along the baseboards. If you’re wondering why it’s important to use cable mounts, then here is the deal. Cable mounts come with clips and nails required to do your work efficiently, so you don’t have to spend extra on them.
The clips will help keep your Ethernet cable in one place as the nails fix it on the baseboard’s surface. So, after every 4ft., ensure you place a cable mount as you also set the cable in the wall. Do this repeatedly until you reach the spot you allocated earlier.
Step 5: Threading the Cable through the Hole
Now, you need to get your cable through the hole you drilled after allocating your ideal access point. Start by straightening out the wireless hanger, then tape the Ethernet cable along its length. Doing this makes it easy for you to slide them both, hanger and cable, through the ceiling and the basement floor.
Once ready, and the cable is now hanging from your basement ceiling, you can now go down to pull it out from the hole.
Step 6: Cable Mounting On Your Basement Walls
With the help of your cable mounts, mount the hanging cable on the walls of your basement. The mounts should also help when running the cable down the baseboard, and they should sit at least 4 ft. apart.
Finally, you can now connect the cable to the devices in your basement and on the second floor. Turn on your power to see if there’s no default in this whole process. Here’s a youtube video you can watch to help you understand this process better.
Things You Must Consider When Planning To Run Cable from Basement to Second Floor
There are various factors that you must consider before undergoing the above process. These include;
Building Code
Even though most building permits will allow you to install some low-voltage wiring like telephone lines and internet cables, it’s always good to verify. When you ask, you’ll know which cable types are allowed in your state and which ones aren’t.
Keep Your Power Off Throughout the Process
When drilling through the walls and ceiling of an old house, there are always chances of the drill getting into contact with existing wires. To avoid an electric shock in case this happens accidentally, ensure your main power switch is off before starting.
Keep Off the Electrical Wires
A house normally has so many electrical wires connected for usability purposes. You’ll get computer wires, TV, home theatre, telephone, etc. If you allow all these wires to get in your way as you work on running cable from the basement upstairs, then there would be a huge interference. Keeping them off your way while working also ensures your safety.
Suitable Walls
Since the exterior walls most likely contain bracing and insulation, try as much as possible to run your cable through the interior walls.
Conclusion
As you can see from this article, running the cable from the basement to the second floor requires you to follow some systematic steps. Also, the process is risky, especially with other existing electrical wires in the house. For this reason, homeowners should hire an experienced professional for the job, or at least someone who understands the cabling concept.
If you have no knowledge regarding electrical wires and network cables, then you should avoid this process by all means. Remember, this formula may not work for every home’s setup.
