Removing cable clip nails from brickwork of outside wall (Ed.)

[shedvice]

Hi all,

I'm 99% sure of the answer to this, but I'd like to be sure before I do it! Victorian terraced house, lots of old unused phone, sky, etc cables attached to the outside front wall using cable hooks/clips with nails. It's ok to pull the nails out of the brick and pointing, right? I won't be letting water in etc... right?

Photo of one of them attached (the fat cable is the one I'm going to get rid of).

Thanks!

 

[bernardgreen]

How do know the cable(s) you want to move are not in use ?

The "fat" cable might be a live power supply to your house.

 

[shedvice]

How do know the cable(s) you want to move are not in use ?

The "fat" cable might be a live power supply to your house.

It’s a fair question but I listened closely to it and can’t hear any electricity moving.

 

[jj4091]

It’s a fair question but I listened closely to it and can’t hear any electricity moving.

I hope you are not expecting any help or sensible answers after that statement.

 

[shedvice]

I hope you are not expecting any help or sensible answers after that statement.

Probably not, no, but unsolicited advice is such a bugbear of mine (especially when it doesn’t accompany the actual asked-for advice) that I’m happy to make the sacrifice.

 

[Jurassicspark]

It’s a fair question but I listened closely to it and can’t hear any electricity moving.

Electricity cannot be seen or heard. You should be checking where the cable originates from.

 

[opps]

The nails don't always come out cleanly. Try to prize the nail up gently.

A japanese restorer's bar would be ideal

Japanese Restorer's Cat's Paw

As finely made a forged tool as we've encountered. One end features a claw for removing nails or tacks whilst the other flares into a wide and gently curved chisel or spatula shaped end. This tool is more than suitable for delicate disassembly work...

www.axminstertools.com

If you don't have one use an old chisel or grab the fitting with mole grips. On houses about to be repointed, I just use the claw part of a hammer, but it pulls it out at an angle. Assuming that you don't damage the pointing, water ingress should not be an issue.

 

[foxhole]

Just hit everything hard with a big hammer .

 

[bernardgreen]

It’s a fair question but I listened closely to it and can’t hear any electricity moving.

Just hit everything hard with a big hammer .

while you listen to hear if any electrons are screaming in agony.

 

[robinbanks]

It's ok to pull the nails out of the brick and pointing, right? I won't be letting water in etc... right?

It is, but it might pull a reasonable sized chunk of mortar with it. You can alternatively use an angle grinder and cutting blade to cut it off flush

 

[shedvice]

Thanks everyone! OK seems like this will require a bit more care than I'd thought, especially the ones high up. I think for now I'll just cut off the most unsightly dangling cables and see if that improves things.

Sorry @bernardgreen if my response was a bit rude (I was going for cheeky), I know it was motivated by concern for safety. I know what the cables are for, they are a mix of old virgin media connections, satellite dish connections, and the previous owner routing ethernet cables outside the house. (Not that I blame him... the wifi signal is awful in some rooms!)

Cheers