Avoid water leaks by following these tips on how to run a conduit through an exterior wall for free and easy installation.
Introduction
Avoid water leaks by following these tips on how to run a conduit through an exterior wall for free and easy installation.
Conscientious homeowners go to great lengths to prevent leaks from causing water damage to their home. They clean gutters, make sure windows and doors are properly sealed, check chimney caps and flashing and more, all to prevent unseen water leaks. But if they have outdoor conduit for phone or cable service running through the wall, they might forget something important: the point at which the conduit enters the house.
It so happens there’s a simple DIY fix for this, but for it to work, the cable should run upward before going through the wall. If it goes downward toward the entry point, it’s well-nigh impossible prevent water seepage. Rainwater will cling to the cable and follow it right into your home.
This hack works best when you run conduit for the first time, and that’s because you need a few extra feet of slack. If your conduit is already installed, you can splice an extra section onto it, but it might be a better idea need to call the cable company to add some slack And if the conduit runs downward toward the entry point, the company can re-route it.
Tools Required
- 4-in-1 screwdriver
- Caulk gun
- Cordless drill
- Drill bit set
Materials Required
- Cable clamps
- Feed-through bushing
- Silicone caulk
Project step-by-step (2)
Step 1
Make a loop
When you run new conduit, here’s the hack: Loop the cable before it enters the building. The loop will shed water, and it will also provide extra cable to work with in case you have to move your TV or modem.
That’s it. Pretty simple!
Step 2
Use cable fittings and caulk when you run conduit
When you run the cable through the wall, use a properly sized feed-through bushing for extra water protection. Drill a hole for the bushing — which will be larger in diameter than the cable. Dab silicone caulk behind the bushing before pushing it into its final resting place, then fish the cable through. Use cable clamps to hold the wire in place.
- Pro tip: Try to avoid splices, if you can. They can weaken your signal.
FAQ
Is it necessary to use conduit for outdoor wiring?
It’s important to take care with the terminology. Here, we’re using the terms “conduit” and “cable” interchangeably, and that’s appropriate only for the coaxial cables that carry information signals, like TV and internet. In this case, you pretty much have to run conduit outdoors.
When you’re installing residential electrical cables, the term “conduit” refers to a plastic or metal enclosure. And yes, you do need to enclose electrical cables in conduit when running them outdoors, with one exception: You can run UF (Underground Feed) or UF-B cable underground and bury it without enclosing it in conduit.
Do I need a permit for running conduit through an exterior wall?
If we’re using the term “conduit” to refer to coaxial cable, then no, you don’t need a permit to run it through a wall. If we’re talking about electrical cable enclosed in conduit, the need for a permit depends on the scope of the work. Check with your building department if you aren’t sure.
