Is it OK to leave speaker wires and an HD cable on the ground of a damp, sandy crawl space, or should it be up

Question

Hi Everyone!

Best Buy installed my Plasma and stereo setup. I have in-wall speakers and all of the wires are run down through the walls and into the crawl space. They didn't tie up the speaker wires of the HD cable. They are lying on the floor of the crawl space. This doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Are there any pros out there that could offer me some advise? Is this a common practice, or is this a big no-no?

Thank You!

Answer 1

It would be better to run them through PVC pipe but as long as the insulation on the wires is good. They should be fine.

Answer 2

The wires should be in a plastic conduit this is done for several reasons the main ones are A to protect from vermin and B so they can be replaced easily should you want to upgrade/pass another cable or replace damaged cable. An excessive amount of damp in your crawl spaces could damage cables but is perhaps more threatening to the fabric of your house. Are you sure there is damp sometimes dark and colder areas can seem damp. check that there is adequate ventilation.

On expensive audiophile installations with cables costing hundreds sometimes thousands of pounds we often fit sonic rodent repellents into the void spaces under floors. These are a cheap low maintenance way of protecting your property from all forms of rodent damage

You should really express your concerns to the installer in writing. He should be able to explain the installation and put your mind at rest as to the quality of the work.

Answer 3

Sounds like a big NO-NO to me.

Eventually the damp sandy crawl space will cause your wires to corrode, and then you will lose your signal.

They should have at least put the wires in some electrical pipe to further insulate your wires from corrosion

Answer 4

It depends on the local code, but in most places this is a fire hazard!

I would contact your local building inspector and make inquiry. Most codes will specify that all but low voltage cable must be run in conduit if run in a area where they could come in contact with moisture, and a crawl space would be a prime example. They may want to classify the speaker wire as low voltage, but it in most cases is not. More than likely they also used the incorrect rated speaker wire anyway. After a consultation with both a local inspector and a REPUTABLE installer you should contact an attorney for more detail on exactly how to proceed. Make sure to spread your experience around as BB is a terrible company and condones shoddy work.

I would hesitate contacting the store until a official has a chance to see the workmanship.

Answer 5

I usually fill up a cup of water and let them dangle in there.

Answer 6

if your wires are of good quality i can't see it hurting them.

  If it were up to me i would put them and out of the way to avoid anyone stepping on them.

  Neatness of wires is one of the biggest problems with stereos.i always try to do the best i can to make them disappear.

Answer 7

The cables have a protective coating on them and should be ok. If the crawl space stays dry you'll be fine. If the crawl space is wet then you'll still be ok for now but the cables will break down over time. Regardless you will be fine for years.