Metal flush boxes

[chocolate]

Does anyone know a tried and tested way of fixing a metal flush back box into a brick wall that has been completely mashed ( rather than a tidy bit of knocking out ) by a non-electrical tradesman ??????

Unfortunately, what remains of the surrounding brickwork is in no way secure enough to be drilled for a fixing.

I have a disheartened customer at the moment . . . .

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Does anyone know a tried and tested way of fixing a metal flush back box into a brick wall that has been completely mashed ( rather than a tidy bit of knocking out ) by a non-electrical tradesman ??????

Unfortunately, what remains of the surrounding brickwork is in no way secure enough to be drilled for a fixing.

I have a disheartened customer at the moment . . . .

GRIPFILL...........

 

[roukel01]

As a builder will tell you "Mix a bit of gobbo up and stick it back with that!"

 

[Spudnik]

For a few quid i would purchase a bag of bonding plaster or readymix quick set sand and cement and fill the hole, then push the box into it.

There really isnt any other option TBH.

 

[kung]

Hi Chocolate
How many bricks have been damaged ? id say for neatness it shouldnt be to hard to scrap and replace neat cut bricks ! for the cost do a brick & plastering course saves lots of hassle.
Regards
Kung.

 

[danzor]

or go for the cowboy job and use expanding foam

 

[sparks1234]

When i was doing houses we ofter had to put a few boxes side by side for various accessories, we used to nail a batten to the brick at the correct height then put some muck in and then push the boxes in, just makes it easier to get them level etc

 

[Mac]

As Jason said,bonding plaster does the trick.

 

[kung]

Also are the walls plastered or bare/painted brickwork ? could look intresting lol

 

[chocolate]

Thanks for all the sound words of advice. A trip to B&Q for some bonding plaster as a first attempt to win the customer's confidence over to my side.

It's a old house - 1930s. The bricks ( no fault to the builder ) are brittle. One tap with a scutch chisel, and its biscuits crumbs. The mortar between beds is no better. In many places, its soft enough to push a finger into. I feel bad as I passed the repsonsibility over to someone else to do the hard labour on the walls.

Will try the bonding plaster - this sunday - and let you know the outcome !!!!

 

[sparks1234]

Whilst we are on metal backboxes.

Who does and who doesnt put an earth to the backbox

 

[Modernelectric]

i always earth the backbox...just the way i was trained.

 

[UNG]

As a above always I earth the box it doesn't take that long to do it

 

[leekemp85]

If the box has a fixed lug I never do it (just being honest)

 

[Mac]

I've always earthed the back box,good practice IMO