Whether you’re adding one line or several, the steps to extending your phone system are the same—tapping into the existing system, routing wire to new jack locations, and installing new jacks.

Making connections
The simplest way to extend a phone system is to route new wire from an existing phone jack or wire junction. Phone jacks and junctions connect wire with ease. You just unscrew the wire junction, insert the conductors into the slots, and tighten the unit, which also tightens down the conductors.

If there isn’t a jack or junction where you want to install new wiring, look for a nearby station wire along baseboards and joists, inside closets and cabinets. When you find one, if you can find 3 inches of slack in it, you can cut it and attach it to a phone jack or wire junction.

If you cannot find slack in any station wire, you can cut one near your desired location and install two jacks or wire junctions 2 inches apart. The ends of the cut wire can be attached, one to each junction, and then a separate piece of wire can bridge the short distance between the two.