Hi,
What's the best way to patch this hole.
Many thanks in advance!
Aaron Fude
It looks like there's a stud to the left of the box. If so then do the following.
Remove the outlet
Widen the hole so it exposes half of the left stud and cut the top of the hole back to expose a few more inches above the outlet box.
Cut a square patch that fits as accurately as you can.
Put a little chalk on the box and push the patch into the hole transferring a chalk outline of the box opening onto the back of it.
Using a small keyhole saw or utility knife, very carefully cut the box opening in the patch.
Glue the patch to the studs, tape, and mud the seams. Sand, prime, and paint
Put the outlet back on.
As for the vanity splash, I would attempt to have the patch dip under it by a few inches and glue it in place. Use caulk to hide any imperfections.
Hi,
Thanks a lot for your response! I really like your idea (except for the remove the electric box - it took me half a day yesterday to put it in :))
Thanks!
Aaron Fude
According to trbo20 :
If the stud on the right isn't doubled, and I was trying for best possible job, I'd widen that side too, so I could put a batten behind it to support at least the right side of the hole.
[The idea being making sure that the right side of the hole can't push back and crack the tape. That may be overly fussy for many. Depends on how much of a span there is on the right. Etc]All screwed down, no glue required.
Further, as the outlet ears are supported at the top of the hole by the existing drywall, it isn't necessary to extend the hole _up_ any further, because the outlet cover will reach far enough "up". The patch can be "U" shaped. Makes cutting/layout of the patch easier.
You may not be able to get a couple inches behind the vanity and at the same time be able to install it over the electrical box. The studs and backsplash form a "slot" that the drywall MUST follow, but the outlet box is protruding in the "plane" of the slot. So something has to bend (unless there's enough slop in the slot). Regular drywall doesn't bend very well.
Even 1/4" of overlap would be enough, but 1/2" would be better in terms of ensuring that the edge doesn't crumble away, and still be possible to slide it in. [As it is, you'd probably have to bevel the back side of the patch on the bottom.]
If you really had to have several inches below the backsplash, you'd have to remove the outlet box, install the patch, and then reinstall a retrofit box.
But if you're good with priming and caulk, you could probably get away with no overlap at all.
I'd cut the hole a bit bigger, and do it in two "U" shaped pieces, one below and one umop apisdn, above the recepticle, meeting in the middle. It will be easier if you take the GFCI out first.
A very large cover plate for the outlet?
I don't think you need them here, but HD sells drywall clips that go on to the side of holes, and after the patch is almost complete, the metal that protrudes breaks off. Then a little touch up, I guess to cover the little holes the clip ends came out of.
Bubble pack of 6, maybe near the painting department.
Leave the box. Remove the outlet.
-Frank
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