this post was submitted on 11 Nov 2024
1 points (100.0% liked)

DIY

1120 readers
1 users here now

For DIY - this is also a placeholder.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

No idea what the story behind this is. It's a single gang coax box, and just a hole next to it. Looks like previous owner started to patch the drywall by putting the backer in but gave up.

top 12 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

If you want 3+ outlets there, yeah, do a double. If not, then don't.

The box being so skewed wouldn't sit with me, but you do you.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 days ago (1 children)

You're patching the right side no matter what since there's a stud there. TBH, it all looks bad.

I'd square out the thing, put whatever size box fits (I'm assuming a single gang) that uses adjustable tabs to attach to the drywall, then patch whatever is left. With the stud there you probably don't need to worry about adding blocking.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 days ago

Its not a stud, just a piece of fiber board screwed into place. Likely to be used as backing for a patch that never came. I'd just unscrew it and then swap to a double gang after cleaning up the hole

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 days ago

I had to deal with this exact situation, installing the backer myself (those stirring sticks from the hardware store are choice when doubled).. getting the texture right is a righteous pita.

If I had to do this again, a cheat might be something like a two gang plate but one is blank:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-2-Gang-Standard-Size-1-Duplex-Receptacle-1-No-Device-Blank-Plastic-Combination-Wall-Plate-White-88008/301701182

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 days ago

Depends on how much work you’re willing to put in. I think you’ll find matching that texture to be quite a big pain in the ass. So what I would do is make a faux secondary outlet and just cover-up the previous mistake By making it look by design.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Wow, just wow.

Someone couldn't even cut a straight opening, left it all messed up.

Hard to tell, but if you cut it square, would a double-gang fill it? If it would, then that does seem the easiest option (or just a low-voltage double gang size, as somone else mentioned).

Stuff like this is part of why I really dislike texture. It doesn't hide imperfections (as some people claim) even when new - I can still see poor drywall work through it. I'm not really sure what purpose texture is supposed to serve. This knock-down type just traps dust and dirt in it.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 days ago

Yup, it's impressive how bad it is. It's almost more work to be this bad lol. Its even worse if you notice that they didn't cover up the coax ports to paint, so it's entirely clogged up. If I wanted to use them, I would need to cut and re-terminate it.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

Converting to a double gang would be pretty tough with that stud there Edit: I didn’t realize that was just a backer board for filling it in. It would probably be easier than matching the texture, but only if you can put one in without damaging the existing drywall

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 days ago

Yup it's just a backer board there. Easy enough to remove to switch to a double gang, but also easy ish to clean up and patch it, if I don't texture

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

agree 100%, double gang ⚡️

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 days ago (1 children)

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/carlon-one-gang-low-voltage-mounting-bracket-for-rework/1000162146

You have a lot of options. If you are going to run Ethernet eventually, I'd use a big plate and keep the fist sized hole.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 days ago

That looks like an easy option. Might not even have to remove the backer if it lines up right. We are planning on running ethernet but not here. It's the corner of the dining room so it would be useless