Filling an external hole after metre moved.

annoyedgal

We moved to a 70s built semi d. Long story short needed to move gas metre from front external wall as its surrounded by external insulation which is a no no.
Bord gais placed new box on the wall so we have a metre shaped hole in our external insulation and brickwork which consists of grey stones.
Rang a few insulation companies who said they dont want a small job like that and to find the people who did the job originally to fix it. Having no luck that end.
So my question is would some kind of filler and patch up by a handyman do the job to make it weather proof and covered at least? Not concerned about the brick as I'll stick a tall plant in front of it!

salmocab

I would think the issue will be the finish will never match the existing finish so the insulation company are thinking their hearts will be broke with you ringing them complaining. You could probably get the insulation easy enough it’s the finish that will be the problem. It’s usually spread on a handy man may do it on the understanding that it’s your problem afterwards.

annoyedgal

Your right about the finish but not too worried as don't have the money to redo all the stone work as thats probably what it would take. So would it be a small enough job do you think?

salmocab

annoyedgal wrote: »

Your right about the finish but not too worried as don't have the money to redo all the stone work as thats probably what it would take. So would it be a small enough job do you think?

I would think it’s small enough alright getting someone will be the hassle. If there was a builder working on a nearby house you might explain it to him and make it clear you know the finish won’t be right and he may do it for a few quid cash.

listermint

Buy a block of EPS Board from any supplier. Then buy some spray EPS adhesive (theres a guy on adverts that sells some - Penosil)

cut the block to size with a hand saw, spray the adhesive on the back and fix it in, it sets in about 10 minutes or less.


Then get anyone handy to skim the area with whatever finish is on it.

the_pen_turner

listermint wrote: »

Buy a block of EPS Board from any supplier. Then buy some spray EPS adhesive (theres a guy on adverts that sells some - Penosil)

cut the block to size with a hand saw, spray the adhesive on the back and fix it in, it sets in about 10 minutes or less.


Then get anyone handy to skim the area with whatever finish is on it.

its not as simle as that.
you need the proper foam and proper adhesive
then cut back existing render and expose mesh
mesh over the whole area of patch with the diferent mesh and adhesives.
then finish

its not dificult but too small for a company to come out for.

try and find someone local getting it done and get yours done with it

Calahonda52

OP: can you post some pictures please? Hard to see where the stones are

annoyedgal

I will indeed, I'll just wait till tom when its bright and not lashing. I actually found out through my neighbour who did the original job. She gave me his address so i called over and left my no. Might come to nothing as he probably won't want to touch it either. Hoping to source the brick work though.
Prob should have said in op, I'm not overly concerned about insulating the cavity with external insulation. Might be off the wall here but could it be filled with some kind of filler or cement?
Basically we just spent a huge amount inside and blew the budget so trying to keep it cheap and make it tidy looking. Anyway, I'll post a few pics tom and thanks to all for advice.

the_pen_turner

could you put an empty box back then insulate it

annoyedgal

The shell of the box is still intact but the cover is missing. Looks butt ugly to be honest and there's an exposed disconnected gas pipe on show. I've covered it with tape and stirofoam at the moment though doubt it will last storm Deirdre. Will prob make more sense when i post a pic

annoyedgal

Bord gais wouldn't remove it unfortunately when new box was mounted.

listermint

the_pen_turner wrote: »

its not as simle as that.
you need the proper foam and proper adhesive
then cut back existing render and expose mesh
mesh over the whole area of patch with the diferent mesh and adhesives.
then finish

its not dificult but too small for a company to come out for.

try and find someone local getting it done and get yours done with it

Proper foam and proper adhesive ?

What are you on about.

Penosil and External EPS is proper foam and proper adhesive.

Explain your inference that it's not or that i was indicating sticking up and old stuff


As for the mesh. Its gas box size the mesh is there for tensile strength on large sections of wall what your suggesting is overkill for a patch tiny job.

Cutting back existing mesh and patching into it.

Good luck you'll get no one in to do that.

Frankly the op should have had the gas box moved first or the installer should have handled all this up front but they are where they are now

the_pen_turner

listermint wrote: »

Proper foam and proper adhesive ?

What are you on about.

Penosil and External EPS is proper foam and proper adhesive.

Explain your inference that it's not or that i was indicating sticking up and old stuff


As for the mesh. Its gas box size the mesh is there for tensile strength on large sections of wall what your suggesting is overkill for a patch tiny job.

Cutting back existing mesh and patching into it.

Good luck you'll get no one in to do that.

Frankly the op should have had the gas box moved first or the installer should have handled all this up front but they are where they are now

i was explainging how it should be done. and why the jobs isnt worth doing from a business point of view.

once proper foam and adhesive is used then its fine but your post sugests that normal eps from a hardware store can be used when it shouldnt.

the mesh is there to strengthen it the surface and stop it cracking . leaving it out could allow it to crack and let in water. for the sack of a bit of work why not do it properly

listermint

the_pen_turner wrote: »

i was explainging how it should be done. and why the jobs isnt worth doing from a business point of view.

once proper foam and adhesive is used then its fine but your post sugests that normal eps from a hardware store can be used when it shouldnt.

the mesh is there to strengthen it the surface and stop it cracking . leaving it out could allow it to crack and let in water. for the sack of a bit of work why not do it properly

An EPS supplier is a normal hardware store ?

What praytell hardware store sells EPS in 100mm+ depths used in external insulation because I haven't come across one.

Specialist suppliers of EPS like the crowd in ratoath are all I've found..

the_pen_turner

i know that ut your post makes it look like any eps would work from a normal supplier when its not.

as you say you need special eps from a eps supplier

annoyedgal

Hope this link works. Excuse the dodgy stirofam job.
The metre was here when we purchased. I called gas networks ireland out to fix the broken cover and that's when we discovered metre should never been insulated around. They said they would move it at no cost but the original box was our problem which was fair enough.

annoyedgal

Hope this link works. Excuse the dodgy stirofam job.
The metre was here when we purchased. I called gas networks ireland out to fix the broken cover and that's when we discovered metre should never been insulated around. They said they would move it at no cost but the original box was our problem which was fair enough.

annoyedgal

Hope this link works. Excuse the dodgy stirofam job.
The metre was here when we purchased. I called gas networks ireland out to fix the broken cover and that's when we discovered metre should never been insulated around. They said they would move it at no cost but the original box was our problem which was fair enough.

annoyedgal

Here

annoyedgal

Files too big. Will try again tom

annoyedgal

Finally got a pic that would attach!

listermint

Looking at the picture .

I'd just buy a new box fit it and fill the entire box with cavity wall fill beads.

And be done with it.

annoyedgal

Thanks so much for this idea! I've been onto gas networks who directed me to hanleys so i sent on picsand waiting to see if a replacement box will fit. Fingers crossed! Hopefully if it does the local handyman will fit it in.

dathi

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LARGE-PARCEL-BOX-LETTERBOX-NEVER-MISS-AN-EBAY-OR-AMAZON-DELIVERY-AGAIN/253860386695?hash=item3b1b421787:rk:1:pf:0

how about a parcel post box something like above

annoyedgal

Well i sourced a metre replacement that will fit but if i could a post box to fit would look much better!
Was wondering if two metres would look a bit odd, but no worse than what's there now. I'll measure up for the box. I'm assuming a handyman would get one up easy enough?
Thanks so much for the ideas guys