Hi everyone! I'm looking for some help with a project in my basement kitchen. I want to run electricity to a kitchen island that we're planning to add, but there's an existing porcelain tile floor that I really want to keep intact. About ten years ago, we got a damp proofing treatment done, and I'm concerned about disturbing that while making any changes. We need outlets for a microwave, an air fryer, and charging a laptop. What are the best methods to get electricity to this island without damaging the floor? Are there any specific things I should keep in mind because of the damp proofing? I'd love to hear if anyone has dealt with a similar situation and what solutions worked for you.
3 Answers
If you're thinking about avoiding drilling through the floor entirely, consider if your island is really an island or just a peninsula. If it's against a wall, you might be able to come out from the wall instead. Otherwise, a column can be useful to keep the wiring hidden and out of the way. Just remember, if you do have to go through the floor, make proper adjustments to your damp proofing around the new entry points, even if it might seem like a small detail.
That makes sense! It is an island, but that column idea sounds worth considering. Thanks!
One straightforward approach is to run a cable through a conduit from the ceiling down into the island. Drilling into the floor is indeed common for setups like this, but if you want to avoid that, you might also consider building a faux column that connects the island to the ceiling. That way, you can run your wiring down through the column. Just keep in mind that whatever method you choose, you want to ensure it's safe and up to code! Good luck!
Thanks for the ideas! Do you know what that column method is usually called? I’d like to look into it more.
Running it from the ceiling is a smart idea! Do you have to worry about the damp proofing with that?
Just a heads up, if you need to run conduit under the tile, that could get complicated and expensive. It might require digging deeper into the floor than just the tile level to maintain a flat surface, which could affect the moisture treatment. The easiest way, as other folks mentioned, is probably going with a faux column for your wires. It’ll save you hassle and money in the long run as well.
Thanks for clarifying! I didn’t realize how complicated it could get. What’s the best way to set that column up?
So, if I do end up drilling, it sounds like I’ll need to redo some of the damp proofing? What’s the process for that?
So, does drilling only impact the damp proofing in that specific area, or does it compromise the whole floor treatment?