How to Cut Drywall to Run Electrical Wires
The Spruce / Lee Wallender
Most electrical wires in homes are hidden behind drywall to protect and hide unsightly wire bundles. Sometimes it becomes necessary to pull wires through walls if, for example, you are adding an outlet or switch to a space. Running electrical wire through closed walls is a tedious project that few do-it-yourselfers enjoy. It is inefficient and time-consuming to remove entire sheets of drywall just to access wire. Rather, you want to remove the smallest section of drywall possible, while maintaining a large enough opening to insert tools and hands. However, sometimes you'll need to cut drywall across an entire room to adequately run wires.
Handling the electrical wiring takes priority over the aesthetics of cutting into drywall, but it helps to know the best ways to minimize the damage you'll inevitably inflict on the walls to run the wire. Understanding the nature of drywall, studs, and electrical wire and how they interact lets you push through this side project with greater ease. It's also important to note that most electrical work, including running new wires, requires an electrical permit in most communities. If you are uncomfortable tackling DIY electrical wiring projects, it is always best to hire an electrician.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Voltage tester
- Stud finder
- Drywall jab saw
- Chalk line
- Circular saw
- Multi-tool (optional)
- Fish tape
- Hot glue
Materials
- Plastic sheeting/drop cloth
- Painter's tape or electrical tape
- Drywall for patching
- Paper drywall tape
- Drywall compound tape
- Backer supports
- Medium-grit sandpaper
- Fine sanding sponge (optional)
Instructions
Preparing for Cuts
Walls can contain electrical wires, plumbing pipes, insulation, cross-bracing, and construction debris. First and foremost before cutting, protect yourself first by wearing eye, hearing, and breathing protection before cutting into the wall.
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Turn Off the Power
Whenever working with cutting tools, closed spaces, and electrical wire, the first rule is always to turn off the electrical circuit that supplies power to that area. Shut off all power to that area of your home, even if you think that the wall has no wires. This is vitally important because the process of locating the electrical wire can often be hit-or-miss.
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Protect Room From Drywall Dust
Erect a dust barrier from floor to ceiling using plastic sheeting and painter's tape to reduce drywall dust when cutting. Lay down a drop cloth under the cutting area that will be rolled up and discarded after the project is completed.
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Pinpoint the Wire
Construction professionals use scanners with radar technology to locate hidden wires. A conventional stud finder will not locate wires, but it will help you locate studs, which is valuable information that can help you find the wire without the need for a scanner. Some modern stud finders now do have the ability to alert when wiring is detected, though.
If using a stud finder isn't an option, know that most outlets and some switches will usually have 2 or more sets of wires running to them. It can be helpful to look into the box and determine where the wires enter the box: at the top, bottom, or occasionally the sides. This will give you an idea as to where to start tracing wires so as to not accidentally cut into them.
Here are a few other tricks to help you locate wires running through your walls.
- Between wall outlets, the electrical wire will generally run horizontally, about 12 inches high from the floor.
- Wiring usually will extend vertically up or down from light switches.
- Wiring usually runs parallel or perpendicular to the joists.
- Rarely will wire run diagonally or at other angles.
Small Runs: Cutting Between Alternating Studs
To run electrical wire horizontally in walls, it is helpful to know that most wall studs run either 16 inches or 24 inches on-center.
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Find Studs
Locate and mark with painter's tape or electrical tape the location of every stud, as you will be cutting between studs.
For interior walls or any walls that do not contain insulation, it is possible to cut only between alternating studs cavities. This halves the number of holes you need to make in the wall.
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Drill Holes
Create access holes in the drywall that are roughly 4 inches by 4 inches, enough so you can insert your hands and a drill to cut a hole in the studs for fishing through the wire.
Try to drill close to the center of studs or joists—this should affect the integrity of the wall much less. Also, at these spots, the wire should be deep enough that the drywall screws will not puncture it. If it is necessary to drill close to the edge, use metal protection plates to cover each stud drilled to protect the wires.
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Fish Wire
Use fishing tape to direct the wire blindly through the closed-up cavity into the bored holes you've made in the stud.
Often it is possible to blindly hit the hole with the wire itself. To do this, the hole in the stud must be generously sized.
Cut off any loose wires from the end of the cable to form as sharp an end as possible.
Large Runs: Cutting Entire Walls
When you have much larger runs to handle, you will inevitably need to cut across the entire wall, even over the studs. While messy, this is the fastest method of cutting out long, narrow sections of drywall.
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Snap Lines
To cut across an entire room, hallway, or other long distances, snap two chalk lines 4 inches apart.
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Cut Wall for Access
Fit a cordless circular saw with an old, used blade and set the depth to about 5/8-inch (for 1/2-inch thick drywall). Make sure the depth is set properly, as this is key.
Final Step: Patch the Drywall
After installing the electrical wire and testing circuits and devices, shut off the electric again so you can close up the drywall using patches with backers.
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Create Patches
For each hole, create a patch piece so that it is the size of the hole in the wall. Do not cut at a bevel; cut straight in at a 90-degree angle.
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Glue Backer Supports
Glue backer supports (using wood paint stirring sticks) inside the hole with hot glue. Strip off the back paper from the patch piece. This will cause the patch piece to recess into the wall about 1/16 inch.
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Compound the Patches
Fill patches with drywall compound. Leave to thoroughly dry. Smooth with medium-grit sandpaper around the patch. Finish smoothing drywall with fine sanding sponge.
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What is the easiest way to cut an outlet hole in drywall?
First, find studs and make your marks for the outlet. Then, use a drywall saw to cut along your lines.
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How do you cut drywall without making a mess?
Use plastic sheeting to create a dust barrier in the room where you’ll be cutting. In addition, use drop cloths that you can roll up and take outside after your cutting is complete.
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Should an outlet box be flush with drywall?
Yes, the front of the outlet box should be even with the front of the drywall.