How to Install Hidden Wires in Your Walls Without Damage

Installing hidden wires in your walls can provide a cleaner, more aesthetic look in your home without the unsightly tangled wires and cables strewn about. It may seem daunting, but with proper planning and caution, you can successfully run hidden wires without damaging your walls.

Gather Your Materials

• Wire - Choose the gauge and type needed for your application. Common options are 14/2 or 12/2 NM-B electrical wire, coaxial cable for TV/internet, speaker wires, ethernet cables, etc. Get extra length to allow for mistakes.
• Fish tape - A fish tape allows you to feed wires through walls. Get one with sufficient length and stiffness.
• Wall plates - Purchase blank wall plates or plates with ports to match the wires you're installing.
• Low voltage brackets - Plastic brackets can secure wires inside the wall cavity.
• Drywall saw - For cutting drywall to access wall cavities and create openings for old work boxes. A rotary tool with drywall cutting bit also works.
• Old work electrical boxes - Required for installing new outlets and switches without damaging drywall.
• Wire staples or cable clips - To secure wires within wall cavities.
• Wire strippers and screwdrivers - For connecting wires to outlets, switches and wall plates.
• Stud finder - Essential for locating studs and avoiding them when cutting drywall or drilling.
• Protective gear - Safety glasses, work gloves, dust mask and ear protection.

Map Out Your Wiring Plan

Carefully plan where you want to install wires and how they will be routed through the walls. Consider:

• Location of all power sources, outlets, switches, TV/internet ports, speakers, etc.
• The shortest route between connections while avoiding obstacles like plumbing pipes and ductwork.
• Using existing holes/openings in walls and ceilings to feed wires whenever possible.
• Following the path of wall studs to simplify fishing wire and avoid damaging structural supports.

Prepare Your Work Area

• Clear furniture or possessions from work area. Cover floors and furnishings with drop cloths.
• Turn off electricity to prevent shock while working on electrical wiring.
• Locate all wall studs along the planned wiring path using a stud finder. Mark their locations with painters tape.
• Examine walls for existing wires, plumbing pipes or other potential obstacles.

Cut Access Holes

• At all locations where wire will penetrate into or exit the wall cavity, cut a small hole in the drywall using a drywall saw. Make holes just large enough for wires and old work boxes.
• Holes should be cut between wall studs, not through them. Use your marked stud locations as a guide.
• For high-voltage electrical wires, cut access hole near but not directly behind the planned box location to allow wiggle room while fishing wires.
• Avoid plumbing or other utilities located inside walls when cutting access holes!

Fish Wires Through Walls

• Select an access hole to start. Feed the end of your fish tape into the hole and push it through until it exits another planned access point.
• Keep fish tape as straight as possible, avoiding 90 degree bends. Use pre-existing holes or cut new holes to navigate around obstacles.
• Once fish exits, attach wire to the end of the tape using electrical or gaffer's tape.
• Carefully pull fish tape back through wall while gently guiding wire along. Take care not to snag the wire on cavity insulation or framing.
• Use this process to pull wires through all required wall cavities until they are routed from their starting point to ending destination.

Secure Wires Properly

• Attach wires to low voltage mounting brackets spaced every 4-5 feet inside wall cavities to prevent sagging.
• For electrical wires, staple them to wall studs using insulated wire staples rated for the wire gauge you are installing. Follow local building codes for spacing requirements.
• Do not staple communication cables like ethernet, coaxial or speaker wire. Use plastic cable clips instead.
• Leave 12-18 inches of extra length at all planned outlet, switch and receptacle locations to allow for connections.

Install Electrical Boxes and Wall Plates

• Clip electrical wires to disconnect them from fish tape. Use a wire stripper to remove sheathing.
• At outlet and switch locations, install old work electrical boxes. This allows installing new receptacles in drywall without damage. Follow manufacturer's instructions.
• Connect wires to outlets, switches, and wall plates using proper connectors. Ensure exposed copper is fully inserted into connectors.
• Use cable ties and electrical tape as needed to neatly bundle and secure multiple wires entering a single box.
• Attach wall plates once wiring connections are complete. For blank wall plates, caulk around edges for a seamless appearance.

With good planning and attention to detail, you can successfully run wires through walls without damaging drywall or framing. Take it slow and be ready to troubleshoot. The end result will provide a clean look that hides unsightly wiring!