wires
We keep noticing random wires all over the place. Not live electricity, just a legacy of lazy wiring for phones, alarm components etc. No doubt typical for a property of this age, but a trend we’d like to end. So, we set about tackling some of them.
The white wire above has been nagging at us since we got in (as has the ugly light fixture, but that’s another story). It’s an old DSL cable, running all the way around the side of the house, and snaking in between beams and the fireplace grooves, below.
It’s out of action, so we got rid. As we moved around the house, extracting clips and gradually removing the offending wire, we also pulled out any nails, hooks and screws we found. We left a few holes, which we’ll need to fill/paint later.
The black wire below is necessary, as it carries our cable/internet. The problem is how it’s been routed. It runs across the beam, above the master bedroom, then messily down the siding. It’s pretty noticeable, particularly if you’re a neat freak, like me.
So, we re-routed it along the lower part if the beam, and down between a siding groove. It also entered the house at the wrong point, so we needed to re-drill the hole. A good excuse to test our latest purchase, this power drill.
When we moved from England, we left all our electrical tools behind – the difference in voltage means they won’t work over here – and couldn’t justify replacing them while we were renting, so we have some pent-up DIY frustration. Cue drilling.
Mmmm, that feels better. And the entry point to the living room is now much closer to where our TV and router reside. With all said and done, we ended up with an impressive amount of wires, plus a sizable collection of nails, hooks and screws.
With a mass of messy additions removed, this side of the house looks a lot neater. Apologies if this post seems a bit trivial. I just wanted to convey some of the tedium of our restoration. I’m thinking that’s mission accomplished.
Jon
Great idea to drill through in that area!
fogmodern
Thanks Jon! I was a bit nervous, wielding a drill anywhere near that much glass! But it worked out well 🙂
Lisa and Kyle
Wow! Reminds me of the wires we pulled out around our house…! Ugh! 50 years plus of no longer used telephone wire, cable, satellite dish, antenna…you name it, our house had it. We were lucky to find a painter that understood our compulsion to “clean up” the wiring. Oh…and yes…we found roof areas where someone drilled straight through to run wire in the attic…yes…they drilled through asphalt shingles…yay! Oh…our house looks so different with all the wires gone that were no longer needed…we totally understand and sympathize with you!
fogmodern
Yeah, it’s amazing what can accumulate over the years! Sounds like you truly appreciate this task! Luckily, a new foam roof was installed a couple years before we arrived, so everything is nicely sealed-up.
Steve
Loving your blog! The work you do is inspiring.
This particular post made me laugh because our Rummer Home (Eichler look-a-likes in the the Portland, OR area) had similar issues with unused phone jacks in every room, electrical wiring mysteries scattered throughout, and a huge variety of hooks, nails and hangers everywhere! Nine years later and I’m STILL finding little surprises.
Thank you so much for sharing your adventures in MCM home restoration! I am a fan.
Andy
Thanks, Steve! Glad you’re enjoying our blog. Yes, people seem to just keep adding over the years, and rarely subtracting defunct wiring etc. It’s a great feeling to clear the clutter. We’re familiar with your blog (having looked in the early stages of our search) and your neighborhood, where we considered offering on a place Marisa (I think you know each other) listed. We also placed offers on Rummers in Bohmann Park and Highland, before eventually choosing our Eichler in Sac. Thanks for following our journey!
Steve
It would have been great to have you two as neighbors and yes, Marisa is great. Stop by if you’re ever up this way again. And BTW: I love the greater Sacramento area having grown up in a ranch home in the country outside of Lincoln.
Reading your entries has gotten me fired up to finish up a few things around our place…and maybe even update our blog! Gasp!
(I’ll be sure to proofread better than I did my original comment. YIKES! How embarrassing.)
Andy
Yep, that would have been fun. And we’d love to stop by at some point, thanks! Ah, didn’t know you were from this area. Cool. Likewise, if you’re ever in town, let us know. Great that we’ve provided some inspiration! Look forward to seeing what you do. Oh, I edited your original comment. Happens to all of us!