Hide TV Cables in Brick Wall DIY (Chased Conduits)
To hide TV cables in a brick wall, first confirm the wall can be cut, then install an accessible conduit chase for in-wall-rated low-voltage cables. Keep TV power out of that cable conduit: use a listed in-wall power-relocation system or another code-compliant circuit. Wall structure, fire rating, moisture, and local code can make a DIY chase unsafe.
When seasonal decorating or a room refresh puts your TV back in focus, dangling cables can spoil the clean look. A chased conduit can help, but brick is not drywall: a cut that looks small may affect the wall’s strength or fire protection. I treat the route as a building change, not just a cable tidy-up.
Survey the Wall, Services, and Structural Constraints
A wall survey identifies what the brick wall does, what is inside or behind it, and what rules apply before cutting. This matters because a safe route depends on wall construction, loads, moisture, and fire ratings, not simply on the visible brick surface.
First, establish whether the wall is structural, exterior, shared with another home, or part of a fire-rated assembly. If you cannot confirm its construction, stop and ask a qualified masonry professional or structural engineer. A shallow horizontal cut can still weaken load-bearing masonry. Cutting along a mortar joint does not prove that the route is structurally safe.
Inspect both sides of the wall, if possible. Look for outlets, switches, plumbing, radiators, and visible cable routes. Use suitable detection tools, but do not treat a detector as proof that an area is clear. Check building plans and consult the local building authority when the wall’s role or required permits are unclear.
An exterior wall adds a moisture concern. A chase can damage a water-control layer or create a path for moisture if it is not repaired correctly. In a rated wall, openings may need an approved firestop system. Ordinary filler is not automatically suitable for restoring a fire-rated assembly.
- Get approval before cutting a shared, rated, or structural wall.
- Confirm local permit and inspection requirements.
- Do not use a generic online depth or width as permission to cut.
- If the wall is uncertain, have a professional assess it first.
Set the Cable Route, Raceway, and Access Points
A raceway is a protective tube or channel that carries cables and allows future replacement. Plan its route around the cable ends, bends, and access points before cutting. A well-planned conduit should be pullable after the wall is closed, not merely large enough for a cable lying loose inside it.
Choose a conduit intended for the location and permitted by local rules. Check the actual cable diameter and connector size; HDMI plugs are often wider than the cable itself. Select a path with the fewest bends, and keep both ends accessible behind the TV and near the equipment. If the route needs a pull point, it must remain accessible after finishing.
NEC Chapter 9, Table 1 gives general raceway-fill limits of 53% for one conductor or cable, 31% for two, and 40% for more than two, subject to the applicable raceway rules and how the cables are classified. Do not size the conduit by guesswork. Confirm cable dimensions, connector passage, and the rules that apply to the chosen raceway.
For many raceway types, the total bends between pull points are limited to 360 degrees; PVC conduit, for example, is covered by NEC 352.26. Check the rule for your specific raceway and adopted code edition. More bends or a difficult pull may require an accessible pull point. A pull string is useful, but it does not fix an undersized or sharply bent route.
| Route detail | Planning check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Cable size | Measure cable and connector heads | Connectors may not pass through a conduit sized for the cable alone |
| Raceway fill | Check applicable NEC rules and cable listing | Crowding can make pulling difficult and damage cables |
| Bends | Keep within the applicable limit between pull points | Excess bends raise pull force and may violate the rule |
| Access | Keep conduit ends and pull points reachable | Supports cable replacement and inspection |
Use cables listed for in-wall installation and suitable for their circuit. CL2 or CL3 markings may apply to Class 2 cables, but confirm the product listing and local requirements. Do not put a TV’s flexible power cord, extension cord, or ordinary plug-in lead inside the wall.
Power and communications wiring cannot be assumed to share a raceway. NEC 725.136 sets separation rules for Class 2 and other circuits. A common option is a listed in-wall power-relocation assembly installed as directed, with low-voltage cables routed separately as required. A separate power circuit must also meet applicable electrical rules. Ask an electrician if the design is unclear.
Cut the Chase and Install the Conduit
A chase is a channel cut into masonry to hold a conduit. The safe size and direction depend on the wall, so there is no universal approved depth or width for brick. Get the permitted cut details before work starts, especially for a long horizontal route or a load-bearing wall.
Once the route is approved, mark it and confirm the work area is clear. Masonry cutting creates silica-containing dust and debris. Use dust controls and protective equipment suited to the tool and material, follow the tool maker’s instructions, and keep other people away from the work area. If you cannot control dust or make the cut safely, hire a professional.
Cut only the approved channel. Do not widen, deepen, or extend it to solve a problem on the fly. Where feasible and approved, a route may follow mortar joints, but that does not by itself make the cut structurally or fire-code compliant. Avoid cutting brick units unless the responsible professional has approved that method.
Fit and secure the conduit so it cannot crush or shift when the chase is repaired. Keep the ends accessible and leave a pull string inside. Before closing the wall, test that the string moves freely and that the intended cables and connectors can pass. Do not force a plug through a tight bend; revise the approved route or use an appropriate accessible pull point.
Field scenarios to consider: In my work, two common layouts call for different decisions. A short, straight run in a confirmed non-structural interior wall may be suitable for a carefully planned conduit installation, subject to local approval. A long horizontal chase across a shared or load-bearing wall is a stop-and-review situation, even if the proposed cut seems shallow. These are planning examples, not approval for a particular wall.
Firestop, Restore, and Verify the Installation
Closing the chase means restoring the wall without trapping an unsafe cable or leaving a gap in a required barrier. Use repair and firestop materials that are compatible with the wall and approved for its assembly. The right product and method depend on the wall’s rating and local code; do not assume ordinary mortar or filler restores a rated wall.
Before patching, confirm that the conduit is secure, the pull string remains usable, and cables are not pinched or sharply bent. Keep power wiring separate from low-voltage wiring in the manner required by the applicable code and the product instructions. If the route passes through a rated barrier, use the specified firestop system and maintain access where required.
After the repair cures, connect the AV cables and test them with the TV and connected equipment. Check the intended signal and any features you rely on, such as resolution or network connection. A continuity check can help identify a damaged cable, but it does not replace testing the system in use.
Photograph the open chase and record its path, conduit size, cable types, and any pull points before finishing. This helps with future upgrades and reduces the risk of drilling into the concealed route. Keep receipts and product instructions, especially for listed power-relocation equipment.
- Confirm the wall repair is complete and dry before mounting or loading equipment.
- Test each cable at its intended use.
- Keep the route record with your home documents.
- If the conduit will not pull freely, fix the route before closing the wall.
When to stop and call a professional
A DIY approach is not appropriate when the wall may be load-bearing, shared, damp, or fire-rated and you cannot confirm the requirements. It is also time to stop if you find unexpected wiring or plumbing, need a long horizontal cut, cannot control dust, or cannot identify a compliant way to route power. A mason, engineer, electrician, or building official can address the specific risk.
The cleanest result is not worth compromising the wall. Approve the route first, use a cable-only conduit sized for real cables and connectors, keep power separate, and verify the installation before patching.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers cover common decisions about running TV cables through a brick chase. Local code and the wall’s construction control the final method, so treat general guidance as a starting point and confirm details with the authority having jurisdiction or a qualified professional.
Can I cut a chase into any brick wall?
No. Some brick walls carry building loads, resist fire, or control moisture. Confirm the wall type and permitted cut before work. If you cannot establish those details, do not cut; seek a professional assessment.
How deep should a brick chase be?
There is no universal safe depth. Permitted dimensions depend on the wall’s material, thickness, condition, loads, and local requirements. Do not copy a measurement from another wall or online guide as approval.
Can I chase along a mortar joint?
Possibly, if the route is approved for that wall. Following a mortar joint does not prove the cut is structurally safe or compliant with fire rules. Get the same review you would for any masonry cut.
Can I hide the TV power cord in the conduit?
No. A TV’s flexible power cord, extension cord, or ordinary plug-in lead is not an in-wall wiring method. Use a listed in-wall power-relocation assembly or another power solution that meets local electrical rules.
What cable should go inside the chase?
Use cables listed for in-wall use and suitable for the signal and circuit. CL2 or CL3 may be appropriate for Class 2 wiring, but check the product listing and local code before buying.
Can HDMI and power share one conduit?
Do not assume they can. Separation requirements apply, including NEC 725.136 for relevant Class 2 circuits. Use separate, compliant routing unless the applicable code and equipment instructions specifically allow the arrangement.
How many bends can the conduit have?
For many raceways, the limit is 360 degrees between pull points; PVC conduit has a rule in NEC 352.26. The applicable requirement depends on the raceway. Check the adopted code and provide accessible pull points when needed.
How do I know if the conduit is large enough?
Check the cable dimensions, connector heads, raceway type, and applicable fill rules before cutting. Chapter 9, Table 1 lists general fill limits, but the correct calculation depends on the cables and raceway rules. Make a test pull before patching.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Michael Holloway. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
