Routing romex through an inaccessible crawl space: need advice

[Bill Dufour]

Not sure of the name but you might use the flex metal conduit that is covered by liquid tite flex conduit,. To keep it dry and rodent proof. Cheaper to use regular metal conduit in the middle part. Do not blame the rodents for chewing on everything. They have to grind their teeth down because their teeth keep growing until the day they die. If they do not their lower incissors can grow up and over into their skull and kill them.
Bill D

[Al Launier]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B30JgxuGLrM

[Roger Feeley]

Adding the circuit is the best overall choice, despite the fact that its' a pain to do so. Modern code requires a minimum of two 20 amp utility circuits (with GFCI) for kitchens anyway. Theoretically there should be staggered outlets on alternative circuits so two "hungry" appliances can run side by side, but that's not always practical for a retrofit that doesn't involve gutting the space.

well, there’s no question that somebody cut some corners with this kitchen. There’s a microwave cubby but it doesn’t have its own circuit.

with access only fro the main cellar through a 12” gap in the stone foundation, the island is my best bet because it’s closer. I also have some latitude in what I can do in the cabinet underneath.

I do plan to run two dedicated 20a circuits which is overkill but, compared with my time, wire is cheap.

[Jim Becker]

Yes, you'll need to do the best you can with what you have to work with. Your new circuit(s) will be very helpful with the larger appliances and the smaller ones should work fine on existing.

[lowell holmes]

I have to post this. In Texas, we run electrical wires in the attic.

[Mike Henderson]

I have to post this. In Texas, we run electrical wires in the attic.

Knob and Tube?

Mike

[Bill Dufour]

I have to post this. In Texas, we run electrical wires in the attic.

A bit awkward for an island?
Bil lD

[Bruce Lowekamp]

Two dedicated 20A circuits definitely isn't overkill! Minimum standard would be three (one for microwave). Honestly, if you could do it I'd run three: one for the microwave, two general purpose, and move the 15A over to the refrigerator (if you could rewire the existing circuits two the new ones). Dishwasher and garbage disposal also have one (or two) dedicated circuits, although IMHO if I had to cut a corner I would have them on the of the 20A circuits.

Bruce

[lowell holmes]

I should have said Galveston County Texas. It is a flood prone area, so under the house is not done anymore. There are not many houses with basements.

[Roger Feeley]

Two dedicated 20A circuits definitely isn't overkill! Minimum standard would be three (one for microwave). Honestly, if you could do it I'd run three: one for the microwave, two general purpose, and move the 15A over to the refrigerator (if you could rewire the existing circuits two the new ones). Dishwasher and garbage disposal also have one (or two) dedicated circuits, although IMHO if I had to cut a corner I would have them on the of the 20A circuits.

Bruce

bruce,
I don’t think I can run power to anyplace but the island. It has only the stovetop and two outlets. Routing power to anyplace else in that kitchen means going up exterior walls. For a weekend warrior like me, that’s a whole nuther challenge.

Baby steps first. I’m going to run conduit to the island and power each of the two outlets with their own 20a circuits.

question, the thing that scares me about going up the exterior walls is fishing between sheet rock and insulation. Is there some gadget I can put on a fish tape that would Make it transmit something that another gizmo would read?

[Tom M King]

Best things for going up walls are the thin fiberglass rods. You can push them a lot easier than a fish tape.

[Ron Selzer]

"problem:
All outlets for the kitchen are on one 15a circuit which means that my daughter trips the breaker if she uses more than one thing at once.

my solution:
two of the outlets are in an island. The island is fairly close to the cellar."


pull three circuits to the island, one for each receptacle
third one connect to the existing feed, then open up another receptacle and split the existing wiring by terminating the feed to that receptacle.
you now have four circuits feeding the kitchen, 2 at the island,
the existing circuit feeding part of the kitchen
and the third circuit feeding the other part of the kitchen circuits depending on where you split the existing receptacle circuit at.

I did this for my mother back in the 80's so she could use her electric skillet, microwave and toaster at the same time.
by adding two more circuits to the kitchen at one existing receptacle and back feeding the original circuit AFTER splitting the existing circuit into two seperate circuits.

[Jim Becker]

Ron, I believe the challenge here is getting that fourth circuit anywhere...access...since the crawl space isn't "crawlable".

[Roger Feeley]

Ron, I believe the challenge here is getting that fourth circuit anywhere...access...since the crawl space isn't "crawlable".

Jim,
Ron brought up a really interesting point. I should pull all the kitchen outlets out and trace the route. I doubt it but I might get lucky and find that the existing island circuit is somewhere in the middle. if it is, I can interrupt the chain at the island and give some outlets their own circuit.

I kinda doubt that I’m that lucky but it’s worth a try.

[Frank Pratt]

Best things for going up walls are the thin fiberglass rods. You can push them a lot easier than a fish tape.

We use them a lot & they are great. They're called Fish Sticks.