my house is getting smarter than me, and it's kinda weird

Honestly, I hear you on the GFCI struggle - those old metal boxes are a pain. But I actually prefer running new wire, even if it means a bit of drywall patching. Powerline adapters have never been reliable in my place, maybe it’s the old wiring or just bad luck. Once I bit the bullet and ran Cat6, the network’s been rock solid. Sometimes the extra hassle up front is worth it, even if it means crawling around in itchy insulation for a weekend.

Running Cat6 is definitely a solid move, especially if you’re thinking about long-term value or future-proofing. I’ve always wondered, though - did you have to deal with any weird routing issues, like going through fire blocks or running cable between floors? Sometimes I debate whether it’s worth fishing wire through old plaster walls versus just using conduit on the surface. Curious how you handled those headaches, or if you just patched and painted after.

I totally get the struggle with old plaster walls - those things are stubborn. I ended up patching and painting after fishing the wire, mostly because I couldn’t stand the look of surface conduit everywhere. Did you find any creative tricks for getting through those fire blocks? Sometimes I wish houses came with built-in cable chases...

Fire blocks are the bane of my existence right now. I tried using one of those super long flex drill bits, but I swear the wall was fighting back. Ended up making a tiny “exploratory” hole (okay, maybe two) and patching after. Not the prettiest process, but at least there’s no conduit snaking around like a robot spider. If only these old walls could just cooperate for once...

Ever thought about using surface-mount raceways instead of drilling through those stubborn fire blocks? I know it’s not everyone’s favorite look, but with the right paint or placement, they can blend in surprisingly well. Plus, way less patching and dust... Worth considering, maybe?