Knowledge Builders

can you paint over romex

by Chadd Emard Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Yes, you can obviously paint a Romex wire. With the right tool and protection, the painting process can be smooth like butter, and you won’t regret any of it that’s guaranteed. However, the working process can take some time if you’re new, but it’ll be a lot easier once you know the steps.

It's advised not to paint them; it's not illegal or against code. Some paints may degrade the PVC plastics in network cables.Dec 31, 2016

Full Answer

Can you run Romex on the walls?

Another sparky and me disagree on this. Common sense and practice says you cannot run romex exposed on the walls in a residential house - only allowed to do that in attics, crawl spaces, garages, unfinished basements, etc. but not in someones bedroom, hall, living room etc. He says "yes you can" I say "no you cant where exposed to physical damage."

How do you cover exposed Romex wires?

ROMEX is a type of non-metallic sheathed cable that you can find in countless homes, but it should never be left exposed. Exposed wires can create a major safety hazard, so the best option is to place them within a PVC conduit to reduce risk. Whether it be PVC, ENT, or EMT, let’s take a look at the best way to cover your exposed ROMEX wires.

How do you hide exposed Romex?

When you break it down, you essentially have two options for hiding your exposed ROMEX. You can either choose to place it within a PVC, ENT or EMT conduit or use WireMold. Let’s dive into the various options. The two options for plastic conduits are rigid PVC pipe and ENT, or electrical non-metallic tubing.

Should I Cover my Romex with EMT or ENT?

However, ENT itself can be susceptible to damage and may not be the best option for covering your ROMEX depending on your situation. EMT is a type of metal conduit with relatively thin walls. It’s typically constructed of galvanized steel but can be found in aluminum.

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Is it OK to paint over electrical wires?

Is it safe to paint over electrical wires? Fortunately, painting over electrical wires is safe to do. You should not paint over outlets or switches, and though it's unlikely you will have any in your ceiling, any electrical outlets and switches should be covered with painter's tape.

How do you cover exposed Romex?

0:354:40Electrical Code For Garages & Exposed Romex Wires - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you have stubs open it's okay typically to run a peril or parallel to the studs.MoreIf you have stubs open it's okay typically to run a peril or parallel to the studs.

Is it OK to paint a ground wire?

The paint can disrupt the continuity between the ground wire and the device. Some painters go crazy with painting inside of boxes. If the person inspecting does not feel like the devices are properly grounded, it should be redone.

Can I paint a cable wire?

As long as your paint doesn't actually damage the wires inside the cable, you should be fine.

Can you leave Romex exposed?

Romex is a brand name of non-metal sheathing wire. To give you an overview of what the National Electrical Code (NEC) regulations state, Romex wire shouldn't be left exposed anywhere in the house, be it the basement, attic, or the home itself.

Can Romex get wet?

In most homes, ROMEX® wire is used for electricity, where the copper ground wire is wrapped in paper and then, in turn, wrapped in the live and neutral wires. If this wiring is exposed either through a break in the plastic coating or even at the socket, the moisture can be soaked up by the paper, creating rust.

Does paint prevent grounding?

it's because of the coating (or paint), it's not conductive. Also grounding yourself to any part of the computer is not grounding. you need to ground yourself to something else.

Is it okay for equipment that is to be grounded to be painted?

As per 250.12 of the 2005 NEC, “Nonconductive coatings (such as paint, lacquer, and enamel) on equipment to be grounded shall be removed from threads and other contact surfaces to ensure good electrical continuity or be connected by means of fittings designed so as to make such removal unnecessary.” For additional ...

Does ground wire have to be green?

Green – In the USA, most ground wires will be green, or at least primarily green. Green & Yellow – Some systems will use a green wire with a yellow stripe for the ground. Bare – If the wire is not primarily green, it may also just be a bare copper wire.

How do you paint over wires?

Cut the cord cover to the desired length, using a utility knife. Snap the cover over the cord, then remove the sticky backing. Press the cover against the wall. Paint the cord cover if it does not match the wall color, if desired.

How do you paint electrical wires?

0:364:15Painting an Extension Cord to make it Blend in - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat's just some gray primer or whatever gray or silver I have I'm just painting the orangeMoreThat's just some gray primer or whatever gray or silver I have I'm just painting the orange extension cord. And the reason is I just want it to blend in with some gray rocks.

How do you paint wire wires?

0:243:15How to paint timber posts with wire balustrade running thr - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow what I've found is what you can do is actually go through and just use a drinking straw. Now allMoreNow what I've found is what you can do is actually go through and just use a drinking straw. Now all you need to do is cut down the straw. Then place it over the wire and slip it through the hole.

How do you cover an exposed electrical wire?

Warning: Don't use duct tape or any other type of tape to cover exposed wire. Electrical tape is insulated and specially made for electrical applications. Wrap the tape tightly around the wire 2-3 more times and cut it. Continue to wrap the tape around the damaged area, directly on top of the first revolution you made.

How do you cover exposed wires inside?

How to Hide Wires in a WallUse a stud finder to find a spot between two studs in the wall. Mark the wall where you want the upper and lower holes to go. ... Attach a drywall hole saw bit to a power drill. ... Insert the cord or cords through one of the hole covers. ... Insert the hole covers and push firmly into place.

Can you leave electrical wires exposed?

However, your electrical wires can become dangerous over time if you don't take necessary safety precautions. Live wires transmit electrical current which, when exposed, can even cause electric shocks or fires.

Can Romex be exposed in unfinished basement?

Romex is fine when it is inside a wall/ceiling/floor because it is protected from puncture/cuts/etc. but if it is just running along the exposed walls of a basement that is not up to code.

What exactly is ROMEX?

ROMEX, as it is more typically known, is the most common brand name for this type of NM wiring.

What is a romex wire?

Around 90 percent of homes within the United States are wired electrically using ROMEX, the trade name for non-metallic (NM), sheathed cable. This type of wiring system is simple to run and very convenient. However, it’s essential that you do not have any exposed ROMEX in your home and the wiring should be completely covered.

Can NM-B cables be buried?

The NM-B cable is permitted to be used in dry locations and should never be installed outdoors or buried under ground. In the past, all non-metallic cables had white sheathing, however, the NM-B cables on the market are color coded for consumer convenience. Here are the various forms:

Do you have to have romex in your house?

However, it’s essential that you do not have any exposed ROMEX in your home and the wiring should be completely covered. The foundation for all local building codes, The National Electrical Code, requires very specific guidelines for the installation of electrical wires so that they are protected from any damage.

Can you run NM on a sink?

There is no general NEC section prohibiting running NM on the surface in any room of a dwelling unit.#N#Certainly an inspector could decide some areas might be exposed to damage but that is a call made differently by each area.#N#Where I am exposed NM is common under the sink for garbage disposal feeds.

Can you run NM on a surface?

There is no general NEC section prohibiting running NM on the surface in any room of a dwelling unit .

Can NM be run exposed?

Seems pretty clear that NM is allowed to be run exposed on top of the building finish.

Can you run romex on walls?

Another sparky and me disagree on this. Common sense and practice says you cannot run romex exposed on the walls in a residential house - only allowed to do that in attics, crawl spaces, garages, unfinished basements, etc. but not in someones bedroom, hall, living room etc. He says "yes you can" I say "no you cant where exposed to physical damage." He says "yes you can, what damage is it exposed to?" I say "children, besides, no inspector in America is going to allow that as far as i know" what do you think? is there a code section or something I can quote him?

Can you put a flat cover on an outdoor receptacle?

Installing the Wrong Cover On an Outdoor Receptacle. On outdoor receptacles, flat covers provide protection only when a receptacle isn’t in use. But it’s not uncommon for extension cords to be plugged in for extended periods of time — for holiday lights, for example.

Can GFCIs be buried under a hydro massage tub?

And don’t forget that GFCIs need to be readily accessible to be reset. This means they shouldn’t be installed on the ceiling or buried under a hydro massage tub without an access panel.

Is rebar a good grounding electrode?

For a long time, metal underground water piping was considered the best grounding electrode available, but virtually all underground water piping today is plastic. And it turns out that rebar in concrete footings or the foundation for a house is actually a more effective grounding system than the ground rods we’ve been using for decades. So if there’s rebar in the new footings, that rebar needs to be used as the primary grounding electrode.

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1.Caulk or Paint on Romex Cable - DoItYourself.com

Url:https://www.doityourself.com/forum/electrical-ac-dc/266405-caulk-paint-romex-cable.html

26 hours ago  · Yes, you can obviously paint a Romex wire. With the right tool and protection, the painting process can be smooth like butter, and you won’t regret any of it that’s guaranteed. However, the working process can take some time if you’re new, but it’ll be a lot easier once you know the steps.

2.Romex - Damaged or Not? | Mike Holt's Forum

Url:https://forums.mikeholt.com/threads/romex-damaged-or-not.107930/

19 hours ago  · only the AHJ can say if its subject to damage or not. ask your locale AHJ to see what they say about that exposed romex. is it UF wire ?? anyways, painting yes, but i would only use a latex paint as sprays can harm the plastic sheathing.

3.How to Cover Exposed Romex – Upgraded Home

Url:https://upgradedhome.com/how-to-cover-exposed-romex/

20 hours ago It could affect the sheating depending on the composition of the Romex and the composition of the paint. Unless your local electrical inspector will find it to be an issue; they are generally OK to paint provided you chose a type of Romex and a type of paint that don't have a chemical reaction with each other and damage the sheating of the NM cable.

4.Exposed romex in residential? | Electrician Talk

Url:https://www.electriciantalk.com/threads/exposed-romex-in-residential.27018/

17 hours ago Is it OK to paint Romex? Unless your local electrical inspector will find it to be an issue; they are generally OK to paint provided you chose a type of Romex and a type of paint that don’t have a chemical reaction with each other and damage the sheating of the NM cable.

5.The 10 Most Common National Electric Code Violations

Url:https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/the-most-common-electrical-code-violations-diyers-make/

4 hours ago  · Caulk or Paint on Romex Cable. I found one area where my helper got latex caulk all over on some 12-2 Romex inside the wall. There's another area where I would like to caulk where the cable goes into a hole to make it air tight. I also noticed where some of …

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