Hardwiring an old house

[racefan©]

Hello all.
We are moving into a new (to us) home in a few weeks and I plan to install
an alarm
system. Our current house has an old wireless Dicon system that hasn't been
too bad
but did have it's problems. I understand the new wireless are better but I
was considering
a hardwired system to cut down the costs a little but over a wireless
system.

My concern is how practicle it is to hardwire an old house. I don't have
any problems fishing
wires through interior walls but I don't see how it's even possible to do so
in the exterior walls with
insulation without damaging the vapour barrier or insulation itself. I
would be curious to
hear comments and experiences from the installers out there.

Thanks in advance,
Jay

 

[Frank Olson]

Hello all.
We are moving into a new (to us) home in a few weeks and I plan to install
an alarm
system. Our current house has an old wireless Dicon system that hasn't been
too bad
but did have it's problems. I understand the new wireless are better but I
was considering
a hardwired system to cut down the costs a little but over a wireless
system.

My concern is how practicle it is to hardwire an old house. I don't have
any problems fishing
wires through interior walls but I don't see how it's even possible to do so
in the exterior walls with
insulation without damaging the vapour barrier or insulation itself. I
would be curious to
hear comments and experiences from the installers out there.

Thanks in advance,
Jay

Fishing wire in an exterior wall does present you with some problems (though
not insurmountable). It's actually done all the time *without* damage to
the insulation or the vapour barrier. It does require some patience and
some special tools. You can read about how to do it at
http://www.yoursecuritysource.com/faqs.htm. You can also find additional
faqs at a number of the on line dealers listed here:
http://www.yoursecuritysource.com/buyingonline.htm.

Good luck!!

 

[Rich]

I like hardwired over wireless. Yes it takes time over cost.
But I think it's safer.

 

[racefan©]

Thanks guys. I read through some of the faq's and got some good ideas.
The basement isn't finished and it's a sheetrock house so it shouldn't be
too
difficult. It's just going to obviously take more time but should be worth
it in the
end.

 

[Michael]

Hi,
Well, I guess it depends on what you're wanting to put on the
outside wall? If it's a door contact, you only drill up a couple of
feet about the door. Wiring a window is a good bit harder, but no
IMpossible if you know what you're doing and have the patience (and
the right equipment). If you can get your hands on some fiberglass
rods (we call them glow rods) that would help. Some things are even
tougher, like a motion in the outside corner of a room. You might have
to alter placement of devices to allow for the difficulty factor. Hope
that helps
Michael