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Best way to hide cat5 in my new apartment

T

tecgriff

Junior Member
I just moved into a new apartment and unforunately the room where we have our computers set up is a few rooms away from the only cable outlet in the apartment. So ive got this long blue Cat5 laying in the floor and the hall and I wanna hide it the best way possible. I was considering just running it next to the baseboards on the floor all the way around and I gave myself enough extra Cat5 to do this so it shouldnt be a problem. Anyone have any tips on how to secure it to the ground or any better ways to run it in my apartment. Of course drilling into the ceiling and stuff like that isn't permitted.


Thanks for your help ! 😀
 
there are baseboard wire management stuff, but I would probably just staple/secure it to the baseboard/door frames. Staple holes/nail holes can easily be mended with white toothpaste when you go to leave.
 
You can try using automotive molding tape.
I think thats what its called.
The stuff is used on cars to hold the aluminum stripping to the car.
Its a double sided foam like tape, that is extremely strong.
Cut it the width of the cable and stick it to the baseboard, then press the cable to it, hold it a few secs and it should stay put.

I use the stuff all the time to put fans in cases in odd positions, just peel and stick. It is very strong stuff

Edit:
Just tried some for a bit of cable I had in my apartment that has been in my way.
It worked very well, almost too well, hope I don't have to move it anytime soon 🙂


Heres the stuff:
http://www.doityourself.com/invt/u797373
 
Unless you have a cabling stapler (and staples for same), stapling is not recommended (flat-top stables are evil and mess with UTP).

Home Depot and similar stores have flavors of Panduit (Panduit is a company name) channeling.

It can be stuck or screwed to the wall / baseboard, it's "easy" to remove and it opens into a "U" channel, so other cables can be installed or changed out.

It costs a few bucks, but is convenient and won't leave any significant marks or damages (think "Gee, I'd like to get my security deposit back someday ....")

I guess the generic name would be something like "plastic low-voltage cabling channel" or something like that.

Good Luck

Scott
 
Usually baseboard is able to be easily pried from the wall and put back without damage. Behind the baseboard there is likely enough space between the bottom of the wall and the floor to conceal the cable. When you leave the apt you don't have to take the baseboard off again, you can just cut the cable at the ends and leave it concealed behind the baseboard.
 
Do it the college way. Hang it high by the ceiling and wrap light rope around it.

Done and done...

Or do wireless to that PC and use an ethernet port and bridge it to a switch for any others you put back there.

Edit: if you are a linux guy I can recommend a wireless adapter that works well with feisty anyway...
 
Listen man, there are two ways to do this, a clean way or an ugly way. If you want to do it the clean way, I HIGHLY recommend going wireless. There are some good 802.11n APs out now, so I'd recommend those for the greatest throughput. If you HAVE to use a cable, I'd recommend running it under the carpet (if you have carpet). If you have hardwood floors, you'll have to run it along the base boards, but this is the ugly way (I hate exposed cables). If you had a house it would be easier as you can punch a hole in the wall and run it through the ceiling. But obviously, this wouldn't be an option for you in an apartment. Again, I live in an apartment too and the wireless solution works beautifully.
 
Here's how I've done it..... Use your fingers and check very carefully for a tiny gap between the baseboard and tack strip, and, assuming you have a carpeted floor most or part of the way, wedge the cable between the tack strip and baseboard. Naturally you want to be careful not to puncture it with a tack from the tack strip. Drilling isn't allowed in my apartment either, but if you're feeling lucky, use a small drill bit and drill through the wall as close to the carpet as possible. Inside walls, except those surrounding the bathroom, won't have any insulation so it should be a clean shot. Thread the cable through the hole (use a coat hanger if necessary) and into the next room. You will need to use your imagination from there, but as long as you have carpet it won't be a big problem.

When you're ready to move out, get some Spackle Compound (very cheap!) at any hardware store and dab a little inside the holes you drilled. I've even known some people who used toothpaste to plug small holes in sheet rock. If you keep the cable close to the carpet I doubt anyone will notice.

Wireless is obviously the cleanest way to go, but if you have the cable and a little imagination you can get it done.
 
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