Running electricity to a new kitchen island?

[#FuckTheMaytagMan]

So we are putting in an island, as part of a general kitchen remodel (covered by insurance to due flooding). The island, to keep it up to code and to give it actual value, needs at least two electrical outlets. The contractor putting in our cabinets told me to just do a rough-in tap into a wall outlet, have the hole hidden by the cabinets, and then run the wiring through a conduit underneath the tile to the outlet in the base of the island. My father has done a lot of his own tile work, so this was something him and I could do ourselves.

My father-in-law, an ex contractor himself, said that we need to pull up the tile along the route, cut into the concrete slab, run the conduit under the slab in the dirt, and then pour new concrete on top of that. This obviously will be more work, which is fine, but I just wonder if it's necessary? Also I'm worried about cutting into the foundation itself? Won't that weaken it?

Any thoughts or tips, or general mustachian encouragement would be appreciated. Also I'm in Phx AZ if that makes a difference.

[Spork]

I'm not sure how you'd get the conduit level under the tile without going the father-in-law route.

And no, that won't likely hurt your foundation.  There are likely lots of holes in it bigger than that.  (Usually there is a big hole under a bathtub.)

[#FuckTheMaytagMan]

If I go the concrete route, I assume I will need to get specialized tool i don't have. Concrete cutter's seem pricey, so maybe thats a rental tool instead of a buy?

[Spork]

It depends on the length of the run.  I've done it with:
* angle grinder/circular saw.  (Holy crap there will be dust!)
* multiple holes drilled with hammer drill + cold chisel + small sledge hammer

Short distances are do-able.  Long runs will be difficult.

[#FuckTheMaytagMan]

the distance is around 3-4 ft from the wall to the center of the island. I figure wherever we bring the outlet into the island should be fine?

[the_fella]

So we are putting in an island, as part of a general kitchen remodel (covered by insurance to due flooding). The island, to keep it up to code and to give it actual value, needs at least two electrical outlets. The contractor putting in our cabinets told me to just do a rough-in tap into a wall outlet, have the hole hidden by the cabinets, and then run the wiring through a conduit underneath the tile to the outlet in the base of the island. My father has done a lot of his own tile work, so this was something him and I could do ourselves.

My father-in-law, an ex contractor himself, said that we need to pull up the tile along the route, cut into the concrete slab, run the conduit under the slab in the dirt, and then pour new concrete on top of that. This obviously will be more work, which is fine, but I just wonder if it's necessary? Also I'm worried about cutting into the foundation itself? Won't that weaken it?

Any thoughts or tips, or general mustachian encouragement would be appreciated. Also I'm in Phx AZ if that makes a difference.

I'm no expert, but I'd imagine you could cut a groove of sorts into the slab and run the wire through that, then fill that in. There're others here who may have a better idea as to whether that's feasible and/or to code.

[FarmerPete]

I'm no expert, but I'd imagine you could cut a groove of sorts into the slab and run the wire through that, then fill that in. There're others here who may have a better idea as to whether that's feasible and/or to code.

You can't run cable through cement without conduit.  Also, even if you could, weakening the cement like that sounds like a good way to get a nasty crack in your floor down the road.  Having said that, this isn't something I've ever had to deal with.  Basements 4 the win.

[Spork]

I'm no expert, but I'd imagine you could cut a groove of sorts into the slab and run the wire through that, then fill that in. There're others here who may have a better idea as to whether that's feasible and/or to code.

You can't run cable through cement without conduit.  Also, even if you could, weakening the cement like that sounds like a good way to get a nasty crack in your floor down the road.  Having said that, this isn't something I've ever had to deal with.  Basements 4 the win.

I agree on the conduit.  My assumption here is that the groove/trough/hole would be patched with concrete and that there would be an isolation membrane over this before any sort of tile flooring goes on.