I am in the process of replacing the wiring in my in-laws 100 year old house. So far the work has been in the basement, with short runs up to the appliances. But now I'll need to run wires up to the attic for ceiling lights, fans, and smoke detectors.
The current knob and tube wiring actually runs along the OUTSIDE of the house between the basement and attic, and is seriously corroded with crumbling insulation. Obviously, this is not an acceptable way of routing the wires!
Normally I'd just drill a hole at the top, one at the bottom, and dangle a string down to connect the two. But as is common in these old houses, there is blocking partway up inside the wall. They have 12 foot ceilings, so I don't know yet whether there is a single block, or additional blocks.
I DO NOT want to cut into the old plaster and lath walls, so what is the best way to get a wire through the wall in this case? I remember seeing really long drill bits at Lowes, but I don't remember how long they were, and am concerned they wouldn't reach far enough into the 12 foot high walls.
If all else fails, I figured I could mount a length of conduit in the corner of one of the closets, as a chase to run wires from the basement to the attic. But I'd prefer to fish the wires in the wall if possible.
Any tips?
Anthony