Drill hole in timber frame house?

metricspaces

I've a new build timber frame house and I want to get an external socket installed. Is it possible to drill a hole all the way through the wall to supply the power?

I read here that you cannot drill holes in modern timber frame houses http://www.diy.com/help-ideas/how-to-add-an-external-power-supply/CC_npcart_400162.art

This seems pretty restrictive for a building that will be around for 100 years or more. Surely there must be some way of sealing up the membrane?

kingbhome

metricspaces wrote: »

I've a new build timber frame house and I want to get an external socket installed. Is it possible to drill a hole all the way through the wall to supply the power?

I read here that you cannot drill holes in modern timber frame houses http://www.diy.com/help-ideas/how-to-add-an-external-power-supply/CC_npcart_400162.art

This seems pretty restrictive for a building that will be around for 100 years or more. Surely there must be some way of sealing up the membrane?

You need to seal it again face on if you break through the membrane. Very difficult to do without removing the first part of the cavity. Can you not break into the circuit above and bring it out the soffit down in conduit behind a waste pipe. I know it's not ideal but its dooable without all that messing for a socket.

metricspaces

kingbhome wrote: »

You need to seal it again face on if you break through the membrane. Very difficult to do without removing the first part of the cavity. Can you not break into the circuit above and bring it out the soffit down in conduit behind a waste pipe. I know it's not ideal but its dooable without all that messing for a socket.

Thanks. So I guess it is not sufficient to simply seal the outside block wall? You need to actually seal the membrane.

metricspaces

I've spoken to a few timber frame companies. They all said once you seal inside and outside it should be ok - considering it's such a small hole (for a power cable) and also any moisture getting in from outside would evaporate in the cavity between the outside wall and the timber frame.

So it sounds like it's safe enough once you ensure a good seal inside and out?

Colonel Claptrap

What about drilling for an external tap? Would that be more difficult to reseal and keep moisture out?

metricspaces

Colonel Claptrap wrote: »

What about drilling for an external tap? Would that be more difficult to reseal and keep moisture out?

Luckily I have an outside tap. So one less thing to worry about

kingbhome

metricspaces wrote: »

I've spoken to a few timber frame companies. They all said once you seal inside and outside it should be ok - considering it's such a small hole (for a power cable) and also any moisture getting in from outside would evaporate in the cavity between the outside wall and the timber frame.

So it sounds like it's safe enough once you ensure a good seal inside and out?

Will they give you that in writing or was this just a call over the phone?

FUBO

Colonel Claptrap wrote: »

What about drilling for an external tap? Would that be more difficult to reseal and keep moisture out?

DONE IT 10 years ago sealed it no probs yet

metricspaces

kingbhome wrote: »

Will they give you that in writing or was this just a call over the phone?

It was just a call over the phone. Do you have experience with timber frame houses?

metricspaces

FUBO wrote: »

DONE IT 10 years ago sealed it no probs yet

I guess it would be very hard to tell if you have a problem? Until you have a serious problem?

Guessing the main risk is moisture gets in past the membrane to the wooden frame. Over time this causes the wood to rot. At the point you realise you have rot you've got a serious problem?