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recessing medicine cabinet in concrete block walls??

8 years ago

does anyone know if you recess medicine cabinets into concrete block wall (CB exterior in FL home), does that constitute a problem regarding the strength of the exterior wall? Would it be something your insurance company might hit your policy for if it knew?

We are having real problem with medicine cabinets in bathroom remodel underway...

Featured Answer

PRO

Joseph Corlett, LLC

8 years ago

You don't cut block to recess the cabinet, you fur out the wall to recess the cabinet. Had this been done, you probably wouldn't have had to cut the block for the electrical outlets. Are you sure these guys have done remodeling work previously?

Comments (6)

live_wire_oak
8 years ago
You don't cut holes in block walls without adding steel lintels to transfer the load. It's not a job to undertake lightly.
loves2read
Original Author
8 years ago
Ok
They cut 3 holes in CB wall for electrical outlets...
Are you saying those need steel reinforcement?
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loves2read
Original Author
8 years ago
There was nothing in the permit they had that required it and the inspector has been out twice and said nothing about that...
Vith
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hate to say it, but you need to dump these guys, they have hacked up your load bearing wall, hacked up your cabinets, and are going to hack up whatever else they can get their hands on. Get your money back on the labor (easier said than done, may have to make a complaint to your state consumer protection office, and use small claims court), have them remake the cabinet parts they hacked up and then keep the cabinets and other materials and get someone else to install them. You will probably need the holes they cut to be filled in as well.

https://www.usa.gov/consumer-complaints

Concerning the medicine cabinet, that is a much larger hole than an outlet, but no person in their right mind should even think to recess either in a concrete block wall.
User
8 years ago
You didn't state the thickness of the CMU wall is or if it is supporting another floor and/or a roof.

You can't seriously be comparing the opening for a 2"' electrical box to one for a medicine cabinet.

There may well be a bond beam at the top of the wall that would allow openings of this size if not spaced too close together. Insulation would be another important issue.

I can't imagine why an insurance company would care if the house has a certificate of occupancy.

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