cabling before driveway done

b21playa · 07-03-2010, 18:34

Hi all

purchased a house and getting the drive done soon, but previous owner has never had cable so, VM have never wired it to the house, still at footpath.

Now before the drive is done, I want to bury the cable. Im not ready to move in, so dont want to get a contract started, as eventually I will transfer from my old contract.

What cable is used and can I do it myself?

nodrogd · 07-03-2010, 18:39

VM won't install a cable until you've signed up to receive their services. The cable is installed from the house to the local street cab in one piece, and the cable used for this is not commercially available.

**Chris** · 07-03-2010, 18:44

Your best bet is to lay a good quality weatherproof cable run beneath the drive. There should be no issues with them using it. Leave a piece of strong cord in it to assist in pulling the cable through.

joglynne · 07-03-2010, 18:45

You could consider running a length of sturdy garden hose with a string running through it. that way the installers can pull your cable through it. Just make sure you leave enough hose at each end to play around with.

Beaten to it by Chris. I must type faster.

nodrogd · 07-03-2010, 18:48

Yes, decent hose or some type of conduit would be a good idea. Also solves the problem should a re-pull be required in the future.

b21playa · 07-03-2010, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodrogd

Yes, decent hose or some type of conduit would be a good idea. Also solves the problem should a re-pull be required in the future.

how do I get it to be when the little flap is on the footpath?

**Chris** · 07-03-2010, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by b21playa

how do I get it to be when the little flap is on the footpath?

You may need to rephrase that ...

joglynne · 07-03-2010, 19:47

Just run it to the edge of your property and leave a long enough length to reach junction box in the pavement. If you are unlucky this will be level with the middle of your drive and you will have a length of hose sticking up for ages. My neighbour got around this by leaving a couple of blocks loose and tucking the hose and string underneath them.

lymmranger · 08-03-2010, 10:26

I did something similar....

I used the blue alkathene water pipe - B and Q sell a huge roll for about £20

........its good fun (i.e. frustrating) getting the cord through - use a non rotting and very strong cord or you will be sorry!

In my opinion you should not use hose pipe as it stands a good chance of being crushed when you cover it with your new drive, whereas the alkathene is very tough

joglynne · 08-03-2010, 10:47

Tip.

Before you lay the casing use a weight, I used a small plumb bob, tied to some sewing cotton, to thread through the hose pipe first then pulled the heavier nylon string though using the cotton thread.

**Rob** · 08-03-2010, 13:04

Hose pipe would be useless. You need something that will not kink and has a reasonable diameter. No idea how long your drive is but consider using waste water or even drain pipes. A water pipe suggested above may be OK, but if a repull is ever required then your duct won't have enough spare capacity.

calmpitbull · 09-03-2010, 23:37

use some of the tough water tubing as suggested. To get to the pot in the street you need to drill from inside the pot into your driveway. The pot shouldn't be more than say a foot from your land.

I wouldn't worry too much about capacity as a re-pull could be pulled though the tube on the end of the old cable.

jungleguy · 14-03-2010, 13:04

I'd use duct (grey BT will do), and rope it, hose can compress under pressure, and you can't get anything through it. If you do use hose make sure its wide enough!!!
There should be a swept T in the pavement, you don't have to have your duct near this as installs will move the T to near your duct.
cheers

calmpitbull · 14-03-2010, 15:55

Install will not move the Tee near to your duct. The tee is in a fixed position so put your ducting as near to it as possible.

jungleguy · 15-03-2010, 02:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by calmpitbull

Install will not move the Tee near to your duct. The tee is in a fixed position so put your ducting as near to it as possible.

I don't wont to turn this thread into a pantomime cliche but...... oh yes they can