Chasing sockets brick blown

[adsmith]

Hi guys,

I’ve chased out a hole for double socket and noticed that some of the brick is about to crumble out. Only chasing for 25mm back box. Directly on the opposite side of the wall is a single socket which I intend to change to a double. (Single has 35mm back box) therefore the two sockets are back to back. My concern now is that the crumbling brick from new chase is from the single socket opposite and when I come to chasing out the single to a double I will blow the brick right through and basically have a hole in the wall. If this happens what should I do? Have I completely cocked it up or if anyone has any ideas it’s much appreciated. Also will this be a structural issue?

Thanks

 

[Octopus]

Never put sockets back to back

 

[streamer]

You are going to need a bucket full of cement!

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Either completely fill up the hole you have made and move the new socket slightly to the left or right... at least 20cm.
Or, put cement in the new hole to hold socket in place, not ideal as it will make a right mess should it ever need to be taken out but it gets you out of a pickle.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Is this a single brick width wall?
I doubt very much that this would be a structural issue.
Fixing the 2 sockets will be a problem, you may need to use some timber to join the 2 back boxes together, then use some expanding foam to fill any gaps and hopefully fix the 2 back boxes in place.

 

[Squid]

Scrunch up some newspaper stuff it in the hole and use some poly filler and deny all knowledge..............



Sorry thought I was posting on the plumbers forum.........

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

I have 6mm nutted and bolted two backboxes and cemented them when another electrician did this, left the sockets loose and walked off site.

 

[KEV 1 N]

Dry wall adhesive(dot and dab)........dries fairly quick (especially if it’s past it’s use by date!) and it sets rock solid!

 

[Wilko]

Hi - I keep a bag of turbo set tile adhesive for such occasions. It goes off pdq and will nicely stick your rubble back together. A top tip from a Forum Member .

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I use bonding plaster,completely fill the hole with soft plaster and tap the boxes back into it making sure they are properly aligned, trowel off the surplus without disturbing the boxes and leave until almost hard before cleaning up. Float over with finish if necessary once the bondings fully set.

 

[telectrix]

I use bonding plaster,completely fill the hole with soft plaster and tap the boxes back into it making sure they are properly aligned, trowel off the surplus without disturbing the boxes and leave until almost hard before cleaning up. Float over with finish if necessary once the bondings fully set.

pi$$ in the mix first. it will set within 1 hour.

 

[Squid]

I have 6mm nutted and bolted two backboxes and cemented them when another electrician did this, left the sockets loose and walked off site.

So that's why the MCB kept blowing as you didn't cut then short enough to stop it touching the live terminal, sheeeeesh.....

 

[Deleted member 9648]

pi$$ in the mix first. it will set within 1 hour.

I'd never be so uncouth, always ask the client to pi$$ in it for me.

 

[adsmith]

Guys thank you all for your advice and wise words. Thankfully the plaster around the single socket was 25mm deep so not much damage caused as I used 25mm back box. As for the hole I chased for my double box opposite I think I’ve got some bonding plaster so will lash a load of that in. Thanks again guys always appreciate your help

 

[PEG]

Having two back boxes,opposing each other through a single brick wall,is not a problem,and can make sense in a few ways.
You should be able to get two 35mm boxes in,even across a brick-on-edge,30's property. Two separate holes,without a brick length between,could risk compromising the courses above,so one hole keeps the wall firmer. It is not hard to fabricate a web between,which the two boxes can be spaced off and fixed to,you can even make such a bracket using some spare boxes and a slitting disc.

Everyone has their favourite "mix",with speeding-up methods ranging from hot air guns,to Tels "dirty-water" (it works).

As ever,these practises always gain better results,when thought is given to what may be required,before the rota-stop gets selected