Drilling Holes In My Apt's Wall???

So here's the deal. I just upgraded my 600watt setup and now have a 400watt and 600watt HPS going. After this grow, I will be upgrading my 400watt to another 600watt.

With both of those lights, my fans, my veg cab, pumps, etc, I am worried I am getting close to my amp limit in my spare bedroom. The cable company drilled a hole in the main bedroom all the way to the outside and the land lord was fine with it. So I am thinking about drilling a hole in the closet of the main bedroom through the wall, and into the closet of the spare bedroom to get some extra amps in the room.

My question is, what kind of drill bit will I need? Also, what are the odds in me drilling through something important or something electrical that is going to shock me?

Thanks for your help.

Bob

i wouldn't do it , think about if it were your property ,they don't know how long your going to be renting ,

It will be a small 1/2" hole in the closet that can easily be covered with some joint compound or something when I am moving. They will not even know the hole is there once I move. Plus they let the cable people drill holes, so it could have been them drilling a hole for the cable if they did see it. But it will be covered before I move.

Now that thats cleared up, anybody know what kind of drill bit I will need (length, type, etc.) and am I risking hitting some electrical stuff and killing myself?

Thanks
Bob

Drill It! You'll need at least a 6 inch long auger bit. To avoid hitting wires make sure you don't drill right next to a stud and stay about a foot away from the floor and ceiling.

Your "renovations" are tiny compared to what I've seen a lot of people do.

Shouldn't be an issue at all, especially with the size hole you will need to drill can be easy fixed. Just get one of those screens to cover it up when you're done, spackle over it, and then paint...easy as pie. As for the hole, I don't know what they are called specifically, but you can get a circular drill bit from any store that will attach to the end of your drill. Using that you should be able to drill a small hole very easily. Knock your knuckles on the wall and wait till you hear a hallow sound, don't drill into a stud. Drill away from outlets and on the lower fourth of the wall to avoid any electrical wiring already in the wall. An interior partition won't have any insulation to worry about so you'll be fine. Don't drill into bathrooms or kitchens unless you have a "pipe finder", and make sure you turn off the circuit breaker before you start drilling just in case you hit a wire.

This is all very easy and unless you have a landlord that checks on you all the time there isn't any need to worry. Check the circuit breaker though to find a suitable spot and try to avoid using the circuits that run to any bathrooms or the kitchen.

Thanks for the replies!

I just remembered my hot water heater is just on the other side of my bedroom. Am I running any risk of hitting a pipe that is running to my bathroom or kitchen? I would guess most of the pipes would not be in the walls, but under the apt. But I don't want a flood in my house.

There is no office for our apt complex, so they never come here. They just came a few days ago because the owner died and needed to get the place appraised, but other than that, they haven't bothered my for over a year. If you pay your rent, they leave you alone. It is quite nice.

So thanks again for the replies. And I shouldn't have to worry about water pipes from the hot water heater correct?

Thanks
Bob

Go for it

I drilled a hole in my growroom and accidently went all the way through and knocked a picture off the wall in my living room

u could just drill like a 1 in in and get a flash light look through make sure nothings in the way and drill the rest of the way and as far as a bit any bit thats the size of the whole is all u need since it sounds like ur drilling through drywall

I'd drill a "feeler hole": Take a smaller (1/4") bit and measure about 1/2" from the tip. Wrap a piece of tape below this point (leaving 1/2" of bit exposed on the tip). This will allow you to gauge depth. Drill in just to the tape and then remove the bit from the drill and insert it into the hole. Wiggle it around in there, you will feel any obstructions. If all is clear, use this hole as a pilot and drill the rest of the way through. You can use a variety of bits to drill drywall, it will likely need to be about 5" long.

I had the same issue, If it's just sheet rock (drywall) take a phillips screw driver and a hammer and lightly tap a hole. Prevents having to buy a drill bit. Also when I moved out I just bought a blank wall plate at home depot It was less then a dollar and covered the holes. If anything blame it on the cable company.

I dont see any problem with doing it. Is it a timber stud wall lined with plaster sheets (drywall) or is it solid brick or concrete?