Fishing Electrical Wire Through Walls

Run electrical cable through walls and across ceilings without tearing them apart

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Fishing Electrical Wire Through Walls

Add wiring for new switches, light fixtures and outlets anywhere in the house, with minimal wall damage. This article shows you how to use a fish tape to pull wire through walls and across ceilings, quickly and efficiently.

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine

Fishing Electrical Wire Through Walls

Add wiring for new switches, light fixtures and outlets anywhere in the house, with minimal wall damage. This article shows you how to use a fish tape to pull wire through walls and across ceilings, quickly and efficiently.

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine

Find a path for the wire

Running wire from a switch location to a light or fan in the center of the ceiling can be a challenging project. You'll almost always have to cut some holes in the walls, but you can minimize ceiling damage by using a “fish tape.” A fish tape is a long strip of spring steel used for pulling wires through walls and ceilings. They're available at hardware stores and home centers.

To map out the best path for the cable run from the switch to the light, first determine the ceiling joist direction. Generally, it's best to run the cable in the space between the joists so you won't have to cut a lot of holes in the ceiling. Then figure how to get the cable through the wall to that joist space.

Since you can't run the cable through the attic, the next best choice is to go down into a basement or crawl space, then go back up through the stud cavity directly below the joist space. If you can't go down, follow the procedure we show here, which is to go horizontally across the studs until you're below the joist space. As you can see in Photo 2, you'll have to notch each stud and the top plate.

Once you know the path of the cable, cut a hole in the ceiling for the chandelier outlet. At each location where the cable will cross a framing member, cut away the drywall. Where the cable will turn from the wall to enter the ceiling, cut out a 3-in.-wide section of drywall in the wall and ceiling (Photo 1). Extend the openings at least 2 in. from the edge of the top plate.

With a sharp 5/8-in. or 3/4-in. chisel, trim the stud or plate back about 1/8 in. so that the guard plate will sit flush with the face of the framing (Photo 4). Then chisel the notches for the cable (Photo 2).

Feed the fish tape from the opening at the top plate to the lighting outlet, connect the cable and pull it through (Photo 3). Then feed the fish tape from your wall switch to the top plate opening, connect the cable and pull it through the wall.

Be sure to install nail guards that completely cover the cable where it crosses the framing (Photo 4). Wire the switch and the lighting outlet, then patch the holes in the wall and repaint.

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Required Tools for this Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

    • Cordless drill
    • Electrical tape
    • Drywall saw
    • Reciprocating saw
    • Wood chisel

Fish tape

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.

    • Electrical cable
    • Nail guard (wire protector)

Shopping List

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Comments from DIY Community Members

Share what's on your mind and see what other DIYers are thinking about.

1 - 7 of 7 comments
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carlitoyboy

May 12, 3:55 PM [GMT -5]

I just have this situation in four different rooms, but the existing light switch controls a power outlet in the wall. I have room to work in the attic. How should I proceed in order to install ceiling fans with light kits. Can I modify the existing wiring from the light switch or should I add another in order to control the ceiling fan? Thanks!

cmkj35

February 19, 12:53 PM [GMT -5]

I think they are showing this assuming that the second floor is finished. Otherwise, yes, just running the wire through the unfinished attic would be much easier and less damage.

cart333

January 06, 5:45 PM [GMT -5]

Yes, why can't you just run it in the attic? My attic is just joists above a sheetrock ceiling with insulation blown around. Can you just run it in the attic and down the wall or vise versa?

keavyman

August 28, 9:59 PM [GMT -5]

Curious. Why is it that you can't run the wire through the attic? Is it against code? It would be a lot easier and do a lot less damage.

Deepika

June 16, 3:52 AM [GMT -5]

Good instruction on placing cable in the house. But instead of doing all these hard work, I think underground cable is best for all purposes. I have done that in my house. Only thing to be sure about is the proper insulation. www.cabletiesandmore.com/cable-management-products.php.

BobKn

May 21, 1:26 PM [GMT -5]

I agree with tdwan 100%.

tdwan

December 21, 10:42 AM [GMT -5]

Have done this several times in the past, my only suggestion is to make the hole in the drywall a little bigger one side and drill a hole in the middle of the stud to fish the wire through similar to how it is done during original contruction - that way you don't need to worry about an errant nail (even though you have a metal plate covering the wire) and the drywall patch sits down much nicer on the wall! Happy rewiring!!!

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