Re-wiring second floor of old house?

Question

i have an old house with old wiring. i would like to rewire the second floor. is it possible to run the wire outside the house in an enclosed pipe of some sort?

this way bypassing the need to fish wire down walls.

what would be the downside of this?

I am not planning on gutting walls.

Answer 1

I'm only a level one so i cant give people thumb downs for bad info,so i will do it here.irv needs to learn code to talk code.determine how many  circuits you need , add up current carrying conductors you need for circuits,then look in code for  derate percentage,  ,then size wire to circuit size needed using percentage,then size pipe to wire size needed.no disrespect intended irv

Answer 2

Another solution is to remove the baseboards and run armored cable along floor at the bottom of the drywall.  Then it is easy to fish it up to outlets and switches.  You must, however, use the flexible armored cable or else protect the wire with an approved metalic strip because someone installing baseboards later will almost certainly put a nail through it otherwise.

As to the source of your power, the simplest way might be to place a small sub-panel in an inconspicuous place on the second floor preferably nearly directly above the existing panel and power it with three #10 wires + ground in a length of conduit.  This works best, of course, if there happens to be an inconspicuous route through the back of cupboards, closets, etc. for your conduit.

Overhead lights are more problematic but electrical supply stores do carry a small, neat, painted conduit that just fits 14/2 or 14/3 lumex.   I have used it to install a ceiling fan where there was no power to the ceiling and on an older home, it looks fine.

Answer 3

If you plan on running multiple circuits in a single run of pipe, the

code limits the number of conductors you can use without

de-rating for heat build-up.

That flat wireway you mention, (WireMold?), is not rated for penetrating

the structure.

You'd have to use conduit stubs where pasing through floors.

It's doable, but a finicky job.

If you're only using 15 A. Breakers, #12 wires can be run in groups

of up to six in a single conduit.

(You must count 'hot's and neutrals,but not grounds.)

Answer 4

ur not allowed to run but so many wires per sq inch of pipe......will create heat from all those wires......to it right and fish it....might think about a sub-panel to cut down on run length....

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 5

try using wire mold,this goes on the outside of the wall.it should be big enough to fit 14/2 romex in it.

Answer 6

This would be easier than fishing it through the inside walls.  However many would feel that the conduit outside is unsightly (although it could be painted to match the siding and not be all that visible) and it is an avenue for cold drafts to enter the home.  You have to use exterior grade conduit fittings to keep weather out.

Check local codes; I do not know if the codes would prohibit it.

Answer 7

I assume since you said it is an old house that it has an attic. You could run a feed up to the attic and feed down.

I think since you have no attic I would open the walls, it is not as bad as it sounds, then you will have a clean installation.

Answer 8

All codes are subject to the "Authority having jurisdiction". Call your local Electrical inspector and ask what he/she would allow.

Keep in mind that depending on how old your house is, you could be opening a can of worms. If your wiring is k**b and tube style, you're better off opening your walls and rewiring it if you are going to touch it at all.

Call an  electrician for an estimate and see how they would do it.