This is probably the most amateurish question here 🙂
I always lived in brick houses where i had conduits to pass cables thru. life was easy.
Now i'm on a rented wood panel(?) house. And i want to pass a network cable from the top floor to the bottom floor, on a wall that is shared with the neighbor.
I am hopping that simply opening up the outlet panels and pushing in the cable with some weight from the top floor i will be able to get it on the outlet in the bottom as it is almost liner… but i'm sure i won't be that lucky.
what am i bound to find in the way? i am almost sure there will be something on the second floor height blocking my way… and any way to overcome obstacles that do not involve cutting holes in the wall?
edit: found this question but i don't think this applies as i don't have a crawl space…
Best Answer
It's going to depend on the type of framing used. Balloon and platform framing are the two common methods.
Platform
If you're dealing with platform framing, you're going to have to drill through quite a bit to go between floors. First you'll hit the bottom plate of the upper wall, followed by the decking (subfloor). Next you'll hit a double top plate, which once you're through you'll be in the lower wall. Since it's a common wall, you'll also likely have to deal with blocking and insulation.
Balloon
If it's a balloon framed structure, you're lucky. You'll likely only encounter blocking, bracing, and insulation. However, these elements are a bit less predictable, so you'll have to take things as they come.
Fireblocking & Draftstopping
Any time you create a passageway for fire or gases to pass between floors, you'll have to provide adequate fireblocking and/or draftstopping. This could be as minimal as some fire resistant spray foam, but you'll have to check with your local government to determine what's required.