How to run cable in a ceiling

wonka

I need some advice for laying cable. We need to add ethernet & TV into a dining room from the loft. One end of the room is directly underneath an airing cupboard which is on the floor above. So the upshot is, how do I route the cable above the ceiling?

The room above is a child's bedroom, and we have recently laid a carpet. It also has tongue/groove floorboards, so there's no way I want to access the void from upstairs.

So it seems the best option is to cut holes in the ceiling. I've checked the joists, and the layout means the cable going against the joists. I believe it's dangerous to cut notches in joists underneath, but OK to drill holes in joists (along centre, diameter 1/4 of joist depth). But that would mean making large holes in ceiling to drill into joists?

Fortunately, in a few weeks time we are having the ceiling skimmed (to get rid of awful artex) so I can make a bit of a mess, but anyone any tips?

wildbri

Because these cables are not electrical and therefore slim and safe you will not need to
drill or cut joists. Just make a small hole in the ceiling on either side of the joist and cut a groove across the joist, then fish the wires between the holes, clipping them in the grooves so that the dont sag and are below the existing ceiling so the skimming trowel doesn't damage them . regards...bri

hewhoisnotintheknow

can you do it outside the house or wirless?

wonka

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

can you do it outside the house or wirless?

Thanks. I have thought about those options, but now rejected them. I'm definitely going ahead with internal cabling, so just looking for advice for that.

wonka

wildbri wrote: »

Just make a small hole in the ceiling on either side of the joist and cut a groove across the joist, then fish the wires between the holes, clipping them in the grooves so that the dont sag and are below the existing ceiling so the skimming trowel doesn't damage them . regards...bri

Thanks wildbri. So just to be sure, when you say cut a groove across the joist, you mean cut a groove into the plasterboard directly underneath the joist, to form a channel?