A lot of cables are needed in a house as well as in commercial spaces. Be it for the internet, electric plugs, or television connections, we use a variety of cables. But while running a flat coaxial across the floor especially under the carpet, it seems like a hassle. While we want the carpet to be flat and smooth, running a cable under it can distort it. That is what we are afraid of.
But that surely does not mean that you can’t place a flat coaxial cable under the carpet. All you need is to know the right procedure for installing it beneath the carpet. This will help you effectively and safely install the cable as well as hide it. The carpet surface would look absolutely fine even if the cable is there.
To help you out, I am here to talk about the procedure of installing a flat coaxial cable beneath a carpet. Despite that, I will answer other questions too to make your task a bit easier. Now if you are ready, let’s get started!
10 Steps To Fix Flat Coaxial Cable Under Carpet: It Is The Best Way?
Flat coaxial cables are comparatively easier to fix under a carpet than a rounded cable. But still, the process is a bit complicated as it goes below the carpet. So you need to adjust the carpet and find a suitable place to run the cable. This is why knowing the process will help you do it easily and successfully.
So here are 10 steps to install and fix a flat coaxial cable under a carpet:
Step 1- Decide A Path To Run The Cable:
Deciding on a path to run the cable is the first step. Some may like to take it across the middle of the floor while others would prefer it to be across the walls.
In commercial areas, you may often see the cable in the middle of the floor. This can be because of the short length of the cable compared to the area. But in residential areas, I would recommend running it across or near the walls.
In that case, the chances of toppling over due to the cable would be eliminated. Otherwise, it would make the surface a bit uneven, even though it is flat.
So, decide on the path first.
Step 2: Check The Length Of The Cable:
As mentioned before, the cable length has to be long enough to cross the path, be it across the floor or wall. To ensure that the cable length is enough to pass the room, measure it with a measuring tape.
Adjust the cable length according to the path it has to cross. Either you need to add an extension to the cable or cut it off. If the length is not accurate, the installation would be a hassle.
Step 3: Check The Safety Of The Cable:
Though flat coaxial cable is safe and well insulated, you should still be careful. Check the coating to ensure proper insulation. Also, the cable has to be non-flammable.
Ensure that no wire is sticking out of the cable and the coating is intact. Besides, remove the old wiring from beneath the carpet for safety.
Step 4: Clear The Carpet Top:
As you may need to work with the carpet, lift it, and reset the seams, remove all the furniture items from the top of it. Clear the surface to make the task easier. Also, it would make the task faster and safer.
Step 5: Remove The Cable From The Plug Point:
Don’t try working with the cable when it is plugged in. This can be dangerous and risky. So unplug the cable from the plug point before you start with the installation procedure.
However, if the cable is not removable, you should at least switch it off. Make sure to do it to avoid any electrical accident.
Step 6: Open The Carpet Liner A Bit:
Most probably, you are going to take the cable across the edge of the carpet liner. When this is the case, you need to lift the carpet liner to pass the cable through it. However, don’t loosen the liner too much so that readjusting it becomes difficult.
Use a screwdriver with a flathead and slowly push it across the carpet seam. Loosen the seams a bit so that the carpet can be lifted enough to let the cable go through it. Also, choose a portion where the cable should be placed so that you can lift the seam of that area only.
Step 7: Pull The Carpet Up:
Now that the carpet liner is open and loose, you have to lift up the portion from where you are going to pass the cable. To do so, you may use a plier to slightly pull up the carpet portion that has been loosened.
If the cable is permanently plugged, it is better to loosen the carpet on the other side of the plug point. This will help you to pull the cable easily and do the insulation accurately.
Step 8: Run A Fish Tape Or Measuring Tape To Make The Path:
Before you run the cable, it is important that you make a route for it. To do so, you can either use a fish tape or measuring tape.
If you use fish tape, open the reel and the wire would come out. As it goes beneath the carpet, it will keep unwinding. Let it unwind till it reaches the opposite end of the carpet. As it reaches, pull the wire out from the other end. Remember to pull the carpet up a bit to make the task easier.
Similarly, using measuring tape would need you to push it across the carpet. Take it out from the other end and the route of the cable is mapped.
Step 9: Attach And Pass The Cable Under The Carpet:
There should be a hook at one end of the fish tape with which you would attach the cable. If you are using the measuring tape, use duct tape to attach the cable to the tape. These ends are at the opposite end from where you have pulled out the fish tape or measuring tape.
Now that the flat coaxial cable is attached to the fish or measuring tape, you need to pass it across the path defined. So, you have attached the cable to the other end of the carpet.
Next, rewind the tape and pull it back to the opposite end of the carpet seam. Run the tape along with the coaxial cable across the decided path beneath the carpet.
Step 10: Set The Carpet Again:
You have passed the coaxial cable beneath the carpet. Now detach the cable from the fish tape or measuring tape. As you have detached the cable, you can see that the cable has been positioned correctly across the defined path.
Now to finish the task, fix the carpet lining again to the floor. Glue or nail it correctly if you have completely detached the carpet from the floor. Otherwise, tuck in the carpet inside and use a hammer to fix the linings. Check for any uneven edges, fix them, and you are done!
Related Questions:
Can You Run Flat Coaxial Cable Under Carpet?
It is possible to run any coaxial cable under the carpet. But installing a flat coaxial cable is a bit simpler as it sticks well to the floor and the chances of bumping are less.
You would need to lift the carpet a bit and then run the cable from beneath the carpet. Lift it only a little to make space for the cable. Use fish tape to attach the cable and pass it through the designated path.
Once the cable is passed across the carpet, you need to reset and fix the carpet lining. That is all you need to do to pass a flat coaxial cable under the carpet.
Where To Place A Coaxial Cable Under The Carpet?
You can either run the coaxial cable across the middle or main body of the carpet or the edges of the wall. It depends on the length of the cable and also the position of the appliance.
If the area is large, for example in commercial areas, the cable may go through the middle. As it is hard to adjust the large length or cover a large area, it is logical to run it across the middle.
However, the cable should be flat and well covered to avoid bumping. But in residential areas, it is better to run the cable across the walls. This not only makes the surface flat and smooth but also eliminates the chances of toppling over.
So decide a convenient path to position the coaxial cable under the carpet. But it is always better to keep it across the edges to avoid accidents.
How To Hide Coaxial Wires Under The Carpet?
If you are unwilling to let anyone trace the coaxial wires under the carpet, there is one way you can hide it.
To hide the wire across the wall, you can get some plastic raceways. The raceways completely hide the cables as you run the cables inside them. Besides, it offers an extra layer of insulation to the cables. You can run the raceways across the lower edge of the walls and put the cables in them.
If necessary, you can even paint the plastic raceways so that it blends with the color of the walls. Now the wires or cables are no longer visible.
You can do the same across the carpet seams. Place the raceways across the seams of the carpet and paint it as per the color of the carpet. That is how you can hide the cables and wires.
Conclusion:
Now that you know how you can pass a flat coaxial cable under the carpet, you can do this easily. Follow the steps, stay careful, and run the cable under the carpet. If needed, you can even hide it as you know the trick.
So, what are you waiting for? Try out the steps today!