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Fishing wire with PEX tubing

Running new wires through existing walls is a routine task for electricians who work on remodeling projects. But as I point out in my article about electricians' tools, I don't own a fish tape. Instead, I use a 10-ft. length of 1.2-in. PEX tubing.

I run the PEX through a hole in the framing. In this case, the top plate.toward the cutout in the drywall for a new electrical box. I use this method for both interior partition walls and insulated exterior walls. The tubing is rigid enough to plow through fiberglass insulation. Once I get the end of the PEX through the target hole in the drywall, the tubing becomes an obstruction-free channel to guide the cable through the wall to the new outlet or switch. When the cable is connected at one end, I simply pull the PEX loose from the unconnected end, as if removing a sock.