Running cable from outside into attic

[v1ru5879]

With the recent development in my neighborhood we are expecting even higher internet speeds. I would like to future proof my home run from the ONT to my office wall jack. What method would you suggest to get the new cat7 to the inside office.

Currently the entrance for the cat5e is drilled in by the ONT then stapled to the stud and straight up to the attic. I disconnected from the ONT n tried pulling from the attic but no luck. I'd like to use this same route but even if I was able to physical get that close to the outside wall from the attic there is no way I could even get a drill in to pop a hole in the top plate of that wall.

Maybe some conduit that goes straight up into the soffit? Or go straight through into the garage then run conduit into the ceiling? I don't want it to look crappy and want a clean professional look that would also allow for easy maintaining should I need to pull a new cable in the future or if I get the wild idea to relocate the jack and need a longer run of cable.

I can take some pictures in the morning of what I'm working with. Just thought I'd ask so you all could toss out some ideas.

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[v1ru5879]

This is how it is currently coming into my home. The other side of this is my garage.

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[wyliesdiesels]

1” smurf tube

 

[Innovate1]

I have run conduit for power on the outside from in the ground to the soffit. The clearance near the edge of the roof is minimal so connecting to more conduit and/or snaking the cable in may be a challenge but otherwise it worked fine. You could also run through the wall and run up the inside. Both work, just a choice of where you would rather see the conduit. PVC is easy to work with. Just keep the opening on the outside downward so it doesn't catch water.

I think I would punch through the wall at a slight slope outward, then use a LB to go up the wall to the attic. Possibly a 90 in the attic and extend the end of the conduit to somewhere easier to get to.

 

[510ebl]

Would an access panel near the ceiling inside the garage be too intrusive?

 

[v1ru5879]

Would that be ok on a southern facing wall? I've seen the blue corrugated stuff before but only on the inside. I only ever see the orange stuff outside

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[v1ru5879]

I have run conduit for power on the outside from in the ground to the soffit. The clearance near the edge of the roof is minimal so connecting to more conduit and/or snaking the cable in may be a challenge but otherwise it worked fine. You could also run through the wall and run up the inside. Both work, just a choice of where you would rather see the conduit. PVC is easy to work with. Just keep the opening on the outside downward so it doesn't catch water.

I think I would punch through the wall at a slight slope outward, then use a LB to go up the wall to the attic. Possibly a 90 in the attic and extend the end of the conduit to somewhere easier to get to.

Do you mean punch from the inside out at a downward angle? Please forgive me but what is a LB? I have to admit I am not [emoji817] familiar with the lingo when it comes to electrical stuff. I am pretty sure you are talking about one of those elbow box things with the access plate cause if you are that's what I kinda had in mind also. Just a matter of getting it into the attic to where I can actually access it. I'm guessing now that I type this you are using the proper name for the piece and I'm the guy who calls it the box elbow thing lol

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[v1ru5879]

Would an access panel near the ceiling inside the garage be too intrusive?

No that was actually one of my initial ideas. The outside wall at the low part of the pitch makes it a pain to get into. I was thinking a metal conduit would look more appropriate in the garage but not opposed to pvc if I can make it look good. I'll climb up there and take a picture now of where the original line comes in. I would also like to be able to be able to drop a coax cable though this same run in case we would ever happen to switch to a cable internet since we currently have satellite TV.

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[v1ru5879]

First picture shows how limited of space I have and where it enters the attic from outside.

Second is a zoomed in picture of the same area. You can see the coax and phone all come in and are stapled down.

Last pic is to reference the ONT being just left of the electrical panel. I could hide the conduit behind the shelf and run it closer to where the access is (continuing left on the wall) then up into the attic

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[v1ru5879]

Still undecided on what to go with. I like the flexibility of the Smurf tube but it definitely stands out. The PVC route will look more minimal. Just gotta decide if I wanna have it run outside into the attic or punch through n bring it in the garage

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[Innovate1]

I put a 90 at the top of the wall into the attic. It was above the soffit so no issues fitting it in. Have to consider what parts to connect first to make assembly easier. As I recall I glued it to a piece of conduit that goes across the floor of the attic first then put it in position over the vertical run and glued that.

Second picture is of an LB. Useful when turning to go through a wall if you want to keep everything enclosed and need a sharp turn.

 

[dave*99]

Get 2 of these

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ARKF3NM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

and 2 blank cover plates.

Cut a hole in wall at garage / ceiling joint and another hole in garage where CAT7 enters.

Snake wire, install covers, have a beer

 

[dave*99]

If you use white CAT7 and come out of garage wall high, stapling the wire to the ceiling and entering the attic at a convenient spot will look fine.

 

[v1ru5879]

I may go with the lb box and that grey short run of conduit that is flexible. Run up to the ceiling in the garage n punch into the attic. I tend to over complicate these things. Cat7 is pry way over kill and I will be more than sufficient with cat6a. I plan just to buy a 100' riser from monoprice and use that for my home run. I do gotta say I hate to have to drill a hole through an exterior wall, something nerve wracking even just thinking about it. Luckily it's in the garage so it can be hidden lol

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