Running network cable outside the house upstairs

[ElBarto]

Hello,

I'm looking to run a network cable from the downstairs of my house upstairs and across (both points are on front of the house), I think running it along the outside would be easier than lifting the carpet and floorboards up, although happy to hear otherwise.

My plan is to just drill a hole through the wall, run the cable up the wall and to the other room and through a hole there. I'd like to have some kind of protector / sleeve for the cable, mainly to protect against UV damage and the elements although the cable I've ordered is for outdoor use I guess more protection is better. I'll also use some of those small cable tacks to hold the cable against the wall.

I assume I'll have to use some silicone sealant on the outside to fill in around the hole?

Does anyone have any ideas on where to purchase the protector / sleeve I mentioned above as I'm struggling to find one.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Ian]

You can get network cable that comes in a UV resistant sheath, so no need to get anything additional . Might be worth getting CAT6 cable to future proof it even more:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MutecPower-Outdoor-waterproof-Ethernet-Network/dp/B00EOTHDWQ/

There are also cable entry protectors, if that's what you mean? This one is for red brick:

Cable Entry Cover

• Brick buster for covering external drilled holes in walls.• Also known as a blow hole cover or roman nose.• Hides unsightly holes in exterior walls.• Protects water ingress preventing leaks or damp.• Weatherproof and UV resistant for outdoor use.

www.toolstation.com

If you wanted to really protect the cable from the elements, you could use conduit - get the 20mm one and it comes with 3m PVC tubes and a variety of corners, junctions and entry boxes which you can then use saddles to fix to your walls. It may be overkill and isn't as discrete, but it will really protect it. I have some short runs outside my house and use this:

Plastic Conduit | PVC Conduit | Screwfix

Buy Plastic Conduit at Screwfix.com. Protect and route cabling. Durable and long lasting. Various sizes and types available. Hundreds of stores nationwide.

www.screwfix.com

If you're able to hide the cable near downpipes and the roof, I'd probably just buy really sturdy outdoor rated CAT6 and use cable clips, so it's hidden as much as possible.

 

[ElBarto]

Thanks for the reply @Ian

I purchased this cable which it states is good for outdoor use so hopefully that'll do https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07GXT2VNF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 .

That's a good idea on hiding it along the down pipe and roof to help hide it, I was just planning on accepting it'll be a black line across the front of the house.

I'll try it without the plastic conduit and see how it goes.

 

[piglet11]

The advantage of conduit is you know your cheap CAT5e or 6 is fully protected and you have a convenient means to pull a second one through.
Surprising just how many unprotected cables like satellite, telephone get the chop when someone gets the shears out.
My neighbour ran his cable up the back of the downpipe ad still managed to chop through it.

 

[He who knows]

Don't use Screwfix conduit:

And beware of using any plastic conduit outside - it has quite a high thermal expansion coefficient, so you need slip couplers, and it can easily soften enough to sag. Take no notice of the "official" saddle spacing guidelines.

 

[nemo2000]

Regardless of weather you enclose the cable or not, and even if you plug the holes with mastic, I would still make sure to have a 'drip loop' at the lower entry point.