[BobN]

The job is to install a box at face level for a wall light on the first floor of an existing, finished home.

The basement has a concrete foundation. On the foundation is an insulated wall with 2x6 vertical lumber, fiberglass insulation and plastic vapor barrier against the drywall. I need to snake a wire up from the basement into the wall to get power to this box.

I can drill into the bottom of the wall from the basement but visibility up the hole is impossible because the wall is set back from the foundation. I doubt that I will be able to locate the hole precisely at the edge of the drywall, but I'll try my best.

How do I get the snake on the drywall side of the insulation & vapor barrier?

Thank you for your help.

Bob

 

[HackWork]

You are never going to get it perfect. You will do damage to the vapour barrier and you will bunch up some of the insulation. Only the Canadians will feel the effect of this travesty, though.

Oh, and call an electrician.

 

[99cents]

The Canadian remedy: It's tough to fish through fibreglass pink. If it's Roxul, forget it. It's virtually impossible.

For short distances, you can sometimes get a tape between the insulation and the drywall. Sometimes you can get cable between the vapour barrier and the drywall. That can get you partially there.

Usually it involves surgery. Cut out drywall from stud to stud. Score it with a utility knife or a Hackzall held at an extreme angle. Don't cut it all the way through or you'll cut the vapour barrier. Bang it with a hammer to break up the drywall and peel it out in pieces. Cut open the vapour barrier and do your work. Repair the vapour barrier with Tuck Tape.

Patch, mud and tape.

 

[HackWork]

I've always just pushed a metal snake up and dug around in the insulation until I find it. Easy peasy.

 

[99cents]

Easy peasy on the lucky days, Hack. If you manage to get through, it probably means you have gouged the chit out of the insulation.

 

[HackWork]

Easy peasy on the lucky days, Hack. If you manage to get through, it probably means you have gouged the chit out of the insulation.

Sometimes you get in front of the insulation, sometimes you get behind it (ride up the outside sheathing) sometimes you go right thru it, and sometimes when pulling the wire it bunches up the insulation. But the wiring always gets thru.

 

[99cents]

Try it through this, Superman:

 

[HackWork]

Try it through this, Superman:

We generally call Roxul "rotten cotton". I know it well and have snaked thru it plenty of times.

I'm not trying to say that I am Superman, I don't consider this hard or special work.

 

[99cents]

Then give us your tricks. I at least tried to help the guy. All you have said is "easy peasy". The OP is obviously having difficulty.

 

[99cents]

Oops. The guy's not even an electrician. I'm done.

 

[HackWork]

Then give us your tricks. I at least tried to help the guy. All you have said is "easy peasy". The OP is obviously having difficulty.

Jesus dude, why are you being like this? The guy is a DIYer. But even ignoring that, I explained how I do it:

I've always just pushed a metal snake up and dug around in the insulation until I find it. Easy peasy.

That's exactly what I do.

WTF?

 

[Speedy Petey]

Try it through this, Superman:

Around here that stuff is just becoming popular in new work. Luckily not much fishing through it yet.

 

[Speedy Petey]

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