Cable wire is a common household item. In this article I will teach you how to hide the exposed wires of your cable using plastic wrap, tape and some creativity.
“How to hide cable wires along wall” is a step by step guide on how to hide outside cable wires.
Cables may rapidly get tangled, and even if they are run in tidy, straight lines, they can be an eyesore. Outdoor cable wires are much more difficult to conceal than indoor cable wires since they are more subject to wear and tear and there are less inventive locations to hide them.
Fortunately, your local HomeDepot has isles devoted to all things related to installing electric lines, as well as a range of tips and tactics for doing it based on your requirements. So, whether you need to install a security camera or provide electricity to your new fountain, here are some pointers on where to start.
Contents Table of Contents
- Outdoor Cable Wires: The Easiest Ways to Hide Them
- How to Hide Cable Wires in Your Home
- How to Hide Cables in Your Garden
- Temporary Cables Are Hiding
- More Heavy-Duty Cable Wires to Hide
Contents
Outdoor Cable Wires: The Easiest Ways to Hide Them
If you don’t have a lot of cord to run or are laying cables directly on your home’s outside surface, concealing your external cable wires will be easier. You may disguise your wires along outside walls or baseboards by matching the color of the cables or their covers to the wall color, or you can just run them behind the walls.
Even if your cables are hidden, don’t take any chances and use an old wire or extension cord. Make sure that any cables you use are watertight. Water will find its way into any crevice or crack, and adopting this easy precaution will give you piece of mind and prevent future problems or short circuits.
Your Cable Wires or Cable Raceway Should Be Painted
Consider painting your cable wires or the tubing they’re contained in to match the external color of your home if they’ll be linked to the outside. To get the best coverage, take a chip of your house’s paint and match it at any paint shop.
Painting your wires will not only help them blend in, but it will also protect them from UV light damage.
If you want to paint your wiring, you’ll need a sponge, outdoor spray paint primer, matching outdoor paint, and a refillable paint spray gun. Follow these steps in the following order:
- To begin, softly clean the length of the wire using a sponge. This will allow the paint to adhere better and run less.
- Apply the priming spray to the whole length of your cable.
- Mix 1/10 part water with 9/10 part paint if using bottled paint. Coat your cable wire with the mixture using a spray gun.
- Allow for drying time before installing!
In addition to being waterproof, certain cable raceways are pre-treated for exposure to chemicals or UV radiation. If possible, acquire them in a hue that matches the color of your home to save time and effort.
Ground Protector for Cable Wires
Purchase a floor cable raceway if you don’t care about the looks of your cable lines and merely want to prevent them from being ran over or ripped. They’re composed of plastic and available in a variety of sizes and forms.
Some raceways are narrower and snake along the cord’s length. Others are more robust and sturdy, resulting in a roof that could be driven over. Choose depending on how versatile or protected your cable wires must be.
Boxes for Cable TV
Consider acquiring a cable box to store the slack if you have a lot of cables piling up and becoming an eyesore.
You may either purchase a cheap plastic box or drill a box or cable wire housing receptacle into the side of your house. This box may also be painted to match the color of your home for improved concealment.
How to Hide Cable Wires in Your Home
If your electric equipment will be connected to your house, you may handle the wires similarly to how you would treat them inside. Look at the following home designs to see if they may help you:
Keep an eye out for the following characteristics:
- Overhanging roofs
- Panels for siding
- Deck
- Walls
With Overhanging roofs, you can tuck the cable wires underneath, stapling them into the side of the house, though it is highly recommended that you still use a cable tube or wire guard for added protection. Hiding your cable wires under the lip of a house’s side panel will be much the same.
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You may also run cables behind your walls by drilling holes or just running them along the bottom or vertical borders. This electrical technique is especially beneficial for security cameras, which just need a tiny hole to be made in the siding so that the power and ethernet lines can be routed into the attic or home.
How to Hide Cables in Your Garden
You’ll need longer cable cables and therefore greater coverage if you’re building a pond, fountain, lights, or any other electric gadget in your yard. There’s just one way to get them out of sight: bury your cable lines underground.
Consider the soil type of the area where you’ll be digging as well as the amount of cable you’ll need to run. You may just need to dig 6 inches deep if the ground is really difficult to run wire through. You’ll be able to dig deeper into the dirt if it’s lighter and less thick. Furthermore, the conduit becomes less expensive the deeper your cable cables are buried.
Selecting Cable Wire Conduits for Underground Digging
You’ll need to pick the right conduit to put cable lines underground. In any event, both the conduit and the cable must be watertight. The table below might serve as a starting point.
Depth of the cable | 6 inches | 12 to 24 in. |
Material for Conduits | Galvanized Steel Rigid Metal Conduit | PVC Pipe |
Steel is utilized at lesser depths to keep the conduit and wire from melting in the case of a fire or explosion, which might cause damage below ground.
You may not need to utilize PVC pipe over 6 inches depending on the kind of cable and the depth. Consult a professional or investigate the kind of coating on your wires, such as:
- Nylon-coated Thermoplastic High Heat-Resistant (THHN)
- Protection against GFIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) (GFCI)
Temporary Cables Are Hiding
Because you probably don’t want to go to the trouble of burying your cables if they’ll just be there for a few months, think about some easier ways to conceal them for safety and aesthetics.
While it may not seem to be as vital as hiding temporary cords, it might be a smart idea, particularly if you want to make things look as nice as possible.
Match Your Color of the Cables to the Areas Surrounding or Use a Ground Protector for Cable Wires
If they aren’t color-coded, extension cords and cables come in a range of hues, with the goal of “blending in.” Thinking ahead about where you’ll be putting your cables is the easiest technique to limit cable wire visibility. Here’s an easy-to-follow table:
Areas Surrounding | Grass | White Trim/Walls | Dirt/Garden/Shade |
Color of the Cable | Green | White | Brown |
When blending your cables in with the Areas Surrounding, the one thing to consider is whether you will be doing any yard work in the interim period. Do not put cable wires if there is a chance they may end up tangled in your weed-whacker or shredded by your lawnmower.
As for a Ground Protector for Cable Wires, if your aim is simply to hide your cables from damage for a shorter time, consider purchasing a cable runway for the ground in areas of heavy foot or vehicle traffic.
More Heavy-Duty Cable Wires to Hide
There will be further considerations if you want to install more industrial-grade wiring. Consider the following options for concealing larger numbers of cable cables outside:
- the weight of the cable
- the length of the cable
- Cable tensile strength
You’ll need a more heavy-duty cable runway system, usually constructed of steel, if you’re running larger or more numerous cables beside an outside building. If your wires are adequately protected from corrosive damage, steel brackets may be used, but more delicate varieties, such as fiber optic cables, will need the additional steel tube protection.
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When it comes to hiding wires on side of house, there are a few options. The first option is to use the wire cover from your local hardware store and then tuck them in between the walls of your home. The second option is to use zip ties or electrical tape. The third option is to use an extension cord with a U-shaped end that can be tucked behind the wall. Reference: how to hide wires on side of house.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you cover exposed cable wires outside?
A: Covering exposed cable wires outside is not a good idea. This could cause electrical problems in your house and lead to a fire hazard.
How do you hide outdoor wires?
A: There is no easy way to hide outdoor wires without cutting the lines. One option would be to bury them, but this can be quite time-consuming and may not work depending on where you live. Another option could be using a Y splitter at your residence so that only one line comes out of it, or buying an extension cord with extra outlets
What is the easiest way to hide wires?
A: There are a lot of ways to hide wires, some easier than others. You could get creative and try wrapping them with duct tape, or you can use electrical tape that is made for covering up power cables.
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