Concealing Wires on Brick Fireplace When Mounting TV...The Impossible Wire-Pull!!
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- Опубликовано: 25 фев 2021
- Let me walk you through one of the toughest (most common) wire pulls when mounting a TV over a fireplace. I"ve been in the industry since the early 2000's and have owned my own A/V business since 2006. I've seen just about everything including this one many many times.
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Literally the BEST detailed video dealing with hiding cords on a brick layout. I mount TVs and this was VERY useful and beautifully explained. Keep making videos of the hard installs! Guys like me love this!
Wow thanks man, I need to up my production aspect but I'm just doing it solo and can't dedicate to much time to it. Literally any issues you have with installs hit me up and have likely encountered it and can tell you what I did and mistakes to avoid
I agree with Jaquan. This is the best detailed video I've seen thus far. Thanks Ed.
Dude. Seriously thank you for making this video… and making it so well.
Thought for sure I wasn't getting wiring up to the TV, watched this & BOOM! Thanks for the video man, BIG help.
Dude, nice . Are you a pro or a DIY guy? Either way a nice work!
Great job, from one installer to another.
I have been trying to figure out how to do nearly this exact job in my own home for months. I am so glad I finally came across this video, it gave me an excellent idea about what I am up against with regards to wire concealment!! I was feeling pretty beat down about this project, but I am excited to plan and move forward after watching this.
You'll have to let me know how it goes good luck!
I've been in the home tech business for 24 years and I just learned something new. I doubt I will ever attempt this just because I would have to charge so much that nobody would want to pay for it. I would love to see the finished product with the box installed and the brick back in place.
You would be surprised at what people will pay for. I do not like doing the hard installs and my prices reflect it because of the extra labor and risk involved but I get calls often and accepted proposals because it is a service that many people want and are willing to pay for it it's done correctly. Don't be afraid to quote it (assuming you feel confident enough to do the install). I think you would be surprised at customers responses.
NICE WORK and Explanation!!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent work
great video … been trying to sort out how to get power a hdmi above my brick fireplace. Thanks
Great video!!! You should teach classes for this. I bet you will get a lot of students
I’ve got the exact situation I’m working on here at my house we just moved into. I would love to see an after picture of how the outlet was mounted on the brick
Very informative video. Thank you so much for uploading it. How much does to cost for just the outlet installation ? (For a scenario like this in Dalls)
It all depends if you have the electrician do all the work that I did removing the brick and fishing the wire across or just having him connect the wire that is already run. Prices can be anywhere from $100 just to connect to $350 or more to hide the wire like I did. In this particular situation the trades were already in the house so I don't think they even charged extra to connect the wiring up that I had run.
Excellent video Sir. Subscribed. Have the similar fireplace wall built 1990. With even less gap between my face and flue brick layers, would brick hangers above allow safe removal of multiple row bricks to wall centerline? I would cut/reduce brick depth for reinstallation and mortar. Also your opinion on Tapcons vs anchors for 50 lb tv mount. Thanks.
Best bet is to consult a brick mason here but the short answer is no. The ties are not meant for sheer weight. They keep the brick from pulling away from the wall. The brick supports all the shear weight and therefore removal of multiple bricks is structurally unsound. If pulling multiple bricks then a brick lintel (angled iron) is used to span the gap.
I mentioned in my video but it might have been too quick is that I use a long flexible drill bit to work my way between tight brick layers. Often it's the mortar that is causing all the problems and running a long flexible drill bit is enough to knock off all that excess mortar. Granted the bit is destroyed in the process but I just use one of my old ones. 4'-6' flexible auger bits are available at your local big box stores.
Once you run a bit across you can usually get a few small cables across. In worst case scenarios I will just get a few thin network cables across and use HDMI baluns for my video signals.
For tilting or flat wall mounts where the TV stays close to the wall tapcons work great. The key with tapcons is to use the correct drill bit for pre-drill. If you mess that up then you will end up snapping a bolt or it wont hold at all. Then just get it snug, do not overtighten or it will loosen up. If however you are using an articulating mount where the TV extends away from the wall incredible leverage is applied to the top bolts of the mount and you had better secure the top of the mount very, very well or it will work itself loose. Sleeve/Wedge style anchors are my preference here and sometimes I even add a few tapcons as well for added security in these installs. Follow the anchor installation instructions closely and you should be fine.
Man, took me back with Circuit City! LOL
Superb detailed install instruction Ed. Would you consider providing opinion via photos shared with a property out of state?
I get those all the time. Info@av-guy.com
Thank you for the very informative video. I mounted my TV on the chimney now I'm in the process of concealing the wires inside the brick.
Question: why did you put an HDMI plate what's the purpose?
Customer preference mainly. It looks nicer than a cable hanging out of the wall. Customer used it for Xbox connection but could be used for anything (cable box, computer/laptop, game console, streaming media player, etc). The wall plate does introduce one more connection which is another potential point of failure though.
What do you think about hanging the tv on the ceiling infront of the fireplace
I have a very similar situation in my home in Austin, except it’s a fireplace insert with rough stone from 1974. I’ve tried to figure out if there are studs behind the stone facade to anchor into, but it seems a little jenky… flat stone between 2-3” thick stacked with around 2” of mortar between. Any pointers for finding studs behind this stuff?
You can probably get away with mounting into the stone if it's a flat or tilt haunt and newer TV (lighter). If I really need to find the studs I will make my cutout for my wiring and then finds the studs by sending my tape measure left and right inside the opening. 74' though is old enough that it could be a real brick flu behind that stone. Are you s sure it's an insert?
i got same exact thing here in ohio
🔥landed🔥
I just watched your video where you put the wire through the brick. I have the same fireplace a real fireplace if I went into the attic and drill down through the brick, would that work? Proximately 2 feet? Thanks for any feedback.
Ohh, you would have to send me a picture. Not sure what brick you will drill through but some brick belongs to the chimney flue and would breach that smoke column allowing smoke into your attic. Definitely don't want to drill before you are 100% on what your drilling through.
Do you know of any business in SAT that can install a audio and TV system?
Marvelous video! I have a similar situation that I can't figure out. How do I contact you for advice? Thanks!
Email me at info@av-guy.com. I'll contact you
Would’ve been good to post a pic of the finished project. I’d also say that this is quite involved and certainly NOT for a newer DIYr like myself. I’ve done plenty of TV mounts with in-wall cabling, but this is beyond what I’d feel comfortable taking on. Just being honest. Thanks for the video.
Totally agree! But super helpful. But what happens to the brick where the hearth was?!
I need to solve this problem also. The client's living room in this video is nearly identical to mine; masonry fireplace, wood paneling, outlet layout etc. Any recommendations for AV installation businesses in Houston/Sugar Land area?
Sorry, don't have any contacts down there
What type of fasteners do you use for brick and mortar? Or do you try to find the studs behind the brick? If so, how do you find the studs?
I have another video on fastening to brick. Not all brick walls are created equal. I would comfortably mount a TV to most bricks walls however I have run across some that weren't very stable and I went for the studs behind the brick. I usually use the plastic sleeve anchors that come with the mounts and will use a few tapcons in addition if I'm feeling less than great about the connection. Really and truly if you are mounting with a flat or tilt mount there's pretty little concern about the mount coming down. Where I really take significant precautions is when using an articulating mount. An articulating mount when fully extended applies a lot of pulling pressure to the top fastening bolts. You really want to make sure you are secured very well on that type of installation and that your brick wall is stable.
Thanks for the info, I usually use the plastic anchors for the stationary mounts and sleeve anchors for full motion. I would like to drill into the stud, just don't want to drill a bunch of holes to find it.
@@robertpritt3401 yeah I addressed that in that other video your best practice is going to be to remove a brick which I normally do to run cables anyways which will allow you to see behind the brick and find where the studs are. You should be able to put a fish tape or measuring tape through the hole until it hits a stud on the left and right. Alternatively you could go on the other side of the wall and find the studs there do some careful measuring and transfer those measurements to the side of the wall where you're putting the tv.
Do you ever mount a TV above a wood burning fireplace? Any concerns with amount of heat a wood burning fire creates?
Yes I'll be posting a video very soon about it
I've been doing telecom/AV & electrical for 25+ years... Electrical Masters the last 4 years. This is exactly what I am up against.
Are you still doing things like this? I’m in Dallas and have this exact situation.
Yup, get requests pretty regularly. We do residential and commercial low voltage work of all kinds www.av-guy.com
what kind of box do you use in the brick for the power.
Well I am not an electrician however I believe a metal handy box works fine. Attach with a couple anchors. I use Tapcons for my boxes. They do make metal boxes with expanding tabs for a compression fit but I like too screw my boxes to an brick. Again though I am not an electrician. I think I have always seen metal boxes in masonry though, it's probably code to protect the cable.
I'm trying to setup an outside tv on a brick wall the wall has no outlet but there is an outlet on inside of the wall (there is also electrical lights in top of covered patio) I want to install a new outlet on the wall behind the tv but so far no installer will do it (keep being told they will only do outlet same height as interior outlet which is too low to hide behind tv)
You should have no problem removing a brick, then drill/cut a hole in the exterior sheeting and fishing a wire to the outlet below. You'll need to check with your local building code but all exterior outlets here in Texas need to be GFCI and your interior outlet likely is not. lt will need to be converted to be up to code. I'm guessing the people you had look at it were not electricians though because this is not a terribly difficult wire pull. I have a video that shows what an exterior brick wall TV mounting can look like. Check it out for a bit of detail on the structure of your wall. It might make a little more sense.
Hi! Do you know anybody in Houston that could do this? Or do you travel to Houston for jobs?
My den's wall appears to be a sheet of drywall attached to a cement block (exterior) wall. I know how to hang my TV on this wall (tapcons), but how do I conceal my power cords? I don't think there is any space for the wires/cords to drop down.
Test the wall out for voids generally the fireplace modular cinder block builds taper as you go up so the higher you go the better chance you have of finding a void to run wire in. In those cases I go straight up to the ceiling from behind the TV to get to attic or sometimes off to the side but often the hole behind the TV has to be higher than normal to get to that open void. When all else fails you have to surface mount conduit and paint to match.
My reply was assuming it was over a fireplace if it's not a fireplace then those cinder block walls are often filled with concrete or some other insulator making interior wall wire poles impossible. In those cases we surface mount conduit and paint to match. If you are dead set on making a hidden wire pull you could punch through to the exterior wall and surface mount your conduit on the exterior of the house going up to the roof line to get into the attic or down below to wherever your equipment furniture is. When making exterior penetrations I like to drill at a slight angle so that water sheds to the exterior wall.
@@EdwinBonneau Not a fireplace...my den is at my entrance...an exterior cement block wall with, apparently only drywall attached. I don't think there are any voids, but I'm not sure. Trying to not make a huge hole to see what's back there. Any thoughts? Thanks for your wisdom. Great video.
@@EdwinBonneau Just saw this response. That's what I was thinking...surface mount the conduit and painting to match. Thanks for your time, kind sir!
I’m in Frisco,Tx near the Mckinney side. Love your instructions on how to hang a tv on a fireplace. Are you available to assist on my project? Hope so… Help! 😀
I do lots of work in Frisco. I'm pretty busy right now so the earliest I could get to you would be in about 3 weeks.
Yeah this is why I'm considering using a different wall to mount my TV
Yeah I totally understand. It can be a real beating. Just did one this week and have another one to install in 2 weeks.
Yo Circuit City! They tried to poach me from Best Buy a year before they went out of business 🤣
Video was 16:58. I have a house that was built in 1978 in waco texas. My brick on my corner fireplace is very hard to drill into. Any tips to hide wires and hand tv
Biggest tip I have for drilling into hard brick or stone is a dedicated hammer drill. Don't use a drill that has a hammer drill option. I use my drill with hammer drill combo unless it's tough then I just walk back to the truck and get the dedicated hammer drill. Buy/ rent a hammer drill that has a SDS connection for the bit then you will know you have a dedicated hammer drill . The hammer weight in a dedicated hammer drill is significantly heavier than in a combo drill. I mean it's not even close. A dedicated hammer drill will chew your stone right up no problem. Also have a good bit to reduce "walking" where your bit moved from it's intended drill point.
Hiding wires is gonna be tough on that corner. General rule is the higher and farther from center your hole to run wire is on the fireplace the more likely you will have an opening between the face material and the chimney behind. Yours bring built in 78' is going to be masonry behind that face material so you will likely be limited with your space
Do you still do this kind of work? I’m in Dallas and would be interested in your assistance.
I do, you can check out my website www.av-guy.com
You had to bring in a electrician to install the boxes and connect the romex? I would think you could do that 🤔
I absolutely can do that....just not legally. In my own home I do it all the time however on the jobsite because I do not have an electrical license it is against the law and if something happens I would be in serious trouble. As a homeowner you are allowed to do your own work (most of it anyway) but as a business you have to be very careful to follow the rules.
Every state is different. Some states you can't wire even low voltage (specifically will state) but if there is no specifically stated law you can do it.
Code
Excellent. My only comment is: where you drill a hole thru the stud to feed power cable thru, the hole is too close to the surface. Holes are typically in the middle of the stud so that they are out of reach of nails/screws. If it's closer than 1-1/4", u need to cut out drywall over the stud, add a metal protector plate and re-finish. Hopefully your electrician caught this...
Good catch. Yes you are right you want a stop plate when your wire is closer to the edges of a stud. If you walk around a framed house you will see plenty of examples of stop plates in action and plenty of places they should probably be installed and were not. In this case the sheetrock and wood paneling were in place already. The likelihood that a screw or nail would be placed right next to the existing wall plate is extremely remote and if it did happen access would be very easy through the wall plate right next to it. But you are correct, stop plate needs to be installed where bore holes are within 1.25" of edge of stud as per NEC requirements.
When Bucky the Winter Soldier speaks we listen.
You still doing installs in the DFW area?
I do, you can check out our website. www.AV-Guy.com
Can u instead put a plug on brick to plug in TV?
Yes absolutely. My electrician put in the plug behind this TV. I was simply showing how to run the cables to that location. Electrician pulled his cables the same way. There is no issues installing a plug in the fireplace. NEC code allows it.@@cathysaenz1088
Hi Edwin do you have an email i can send a photo of my fire place to you. It was built in the 70s and it seems difficult to install. Just wondering if you can tell me if its doable
Info@av-guy.com
Niceeeee
I'm in a 100 year old house. I've got brick below the mantel and plaster above. Not certain how to explore and see how to do it. I have a pic but can seem to post it.
The plaster could be attached to a masonry wall behind or a wood-framed wall. The framed wall being the better option for concealing wire. If you have attic access you can get on top and look for a wooden top plate which would most likely indicate a wood-framed wall. You could also potentially use a stud finder to "see" the studs behind the plaster (if present) potentially although that could be difficult for certain stud finders.
@@EdwinBonneau The attic has been finished. Hmm? I may just have to explore a bit. I appreciate the reply!
Do you do installs if so how do we contact you?
You can go to my website www.AV-Guy.com
Where’s the picture of the finished job with the TV over the fireplace?
Still getting the production aspect of this down. I ran out of time at the end of that job and didn't get a picture before I left. I'll get one next time I'm out there and put it up!
My same thought
have you ever had a serious injury when doing your work
Nothing I would consider serious but I've definitely gotten lucky plenty of times doing some pretty stupid stuff. Lots of cuts and bruises though
I did rupture my patellar playing basketball with my guys after a job though if that counts haha
Got hit pretty hard in an attic in Houston one day when I rested my bare, sweat soaked leg across a power line that was chewed through by a rat. That's the hardest I've ever been shocked in my life. Lots of stories like that.
I do think I almost died in an attic in North Dallas on a 105 degree summer day. When teps are in the 100s then attics are at 140+. No joke I've measured temperatures and that's what they get to. I was working alone and in an attic for probably 20 min when I got into a really tight space and couldn't back out. I started hyperventilating ,(not sure if that is the correct term) and got really scared. I managed to calm down back out and get back into the yard under a tree. It felt like I walked into a walk in cooler. I laid in the shade on the ground for a while. I eventually got up and called it a day. It was a dangerous situation. Don't do attic work like that without letting someone know where you're at. Your brain starts dying at 107 degrees. Be careful
Do you still install??
Yes I do
@@EdwinBonneau What’s your email address?
Info@av-guy.com
You kept saying hdmi wall plate.... what is an hdmi wall plate??? From what I’m seeing, all this does is get a power wire behind your tv.
Here is a link to an HDMI wallplate. www.amazon.com/Buyers-Point-Flexible-Hi-Speed-Ethernet/dp/B01CLLMA6M/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=hdmi+wall+plate&qid=1615437561&sprefix=hdmi+wa&sr=8-4
I ran both HDMI and power in that wire pull.
SO this was $2000 right?
I charged this customer around $800. Including mount/cables/labor.
@@EdwinBonneau may be a silly question but did you put the bricks back?
I put the bricks back and used white sanded caulk that's made to mimic mortar. Looks really good and is easy to work with. I wedge the brick into place using foam from the TV packaging then fill the gap with the sanded caulk.
This was my question as well was the price. I’m in NC and brick and stone chimneys are all over in anything built before early 90s. But $800 seems like a fair deal.
Really dumb question....Why not just pull all the bricks in the path of travel? This is my House....built in 1953....the house is a fucking tank. Wall Fishing always sucks
So you got to remember that I'm a custom installer and it's tough to sell the customer on pulling out every single brick even if it's mostly covered by a tv. My goal at the end of the day is to leave the wall as close to original as possible. But removing multiple bricks maybe a good option for you. You do not want to remove an entire course of bricks as they support the bricks above them. Please do not remove an entire course of bricks leave a few bricks along the way. But if you're handy and can put the bricks back in then yes pulling multiple bricks is a good option.
play with fire 🔥 eventually it will get burned
You think the TV will be affected by the fireplace heat or the wiring?
@@EdwinBonneau what i think dont matter
Not sure I follow exactly but I've mounted about 700 TVs above fireplaces here in Texas. Haven't been burned yet though. Hopefully it stays that way!
I'm not worried about it but I have viewers/customers ask all the time about it answering your concern is important. Maybe not to you or me but to a lot of people that have a very real concern about heat and TVs over fireplaces. Again I'm not sure if that's what you're referring to but in any event anyone reading will have the knowledge that some dude in Texas has mounted 700+ TVs over fireplaces and hasn't had any problems. Thanks for watching the video man I really appreciate it!
@@EdwinBonneau i had 3 houses..2 it worked 3rd over time heat cause it to not work..i prefer not to mess with it even it does work..thats like being in a room 2 inches of wall on the other side room fill with gas. "hey longs i stay on this side of the wall nothing wont happened" 😩
or lay matches and lighters next to gasoline. " oh its ok the lighter cant light on its own they ok to be next to the gasoline" 🤨 im cautious i just wont put them their...but to each its own
you have an instagram bro ?