Trying to cover small pipes and drains hung near the tops of walls.
by
Wanda Morat
+5
These pipes and drains are in my mudroom.
8 answers
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A small curtain is easier than "boxing them in. Do you know what these pipes serve?
KMS Woodworks
on May 28, 2013
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They are pipes from the heating system and a drain from something in my furnace going to the pipe and I guess it's draining outside because it's going to another pipe. They are hideous, and they run from the furnace to the top of the room covering one wall, and then down the wall to behind the laundry tub. You're idea sounds good but already I have put up curtains to hide the hideous furnace system and hot water heater. I've researched the possibility of putting up some kind of molding or other cover and I'm not sure I can do that myself (and it looks like it would be expensive--seems like I'd have to hire a carpenter and I'm looking for something I can do myself; i.e., uncomplicated before I tackle painting. Don't want to paint them because I feel they would still be a big eyesore! Thanks for your reply!!
Wanda Morat
on May 28, 2013
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You can box them in quiet easily, basically you need 5 pieces of wood; 2 cleats (typically 3/4 x 3x4 - 2 side pieces 1x2/3/4/whatever it takes to provide clearance past the pipe by 3/4 of an inch & then a cap piece which will cover it all Nail the cap to the sides, place it against the wall & mark the outside edges, grab a small scrap piece & using that you can mark the inside edge where the cleats need to be placed. Any trim in the way can be cut out or you can scribe around it (personally I would cut it out of the way with an oscillating tool - you can pick up a Rigid one from HD for around a $100 or use a Dremel) If your walls are wavy or out of plumb you may need to do some scribing Install the cleats with screws, anchors, nails - whatever it does take Slip your box over it and attach with nails or screws If you want to dress it up, you can with trim pieces (or use a router to dress up the edges - best to do that before you hang it though) A little caulk, filler & some paint & you should be good to go
SLS Construction & Building Solutions LLC
on May 28, 2013
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Thank you for the suggestions but this doesn't answer my question because I'm not a carpenter. The pipes run across the top of one wall and down another wall to my laundry tub. I'm thinking about using material of some sort to hide the pipes but would welcome any other ideas. I wondered if I could order a plastic piece that is open at one end and maybe I could somehow attach to the wall to hide the pipes. I'm looking for an idea that is relatively inexpensive but will hide the pipes and not be difficult to put up. I'll keep thinking about it but if anyone has an idea, just let me know!
Wanda Morat
on Jun 01, 2013
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@Wanda Morat can you post a pic? getting an idea of the scale would be helpful to develop a plan.
KMS Woodworks
on Jun 02, 2013
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Wanda, those pipes your talking about perhaps are the refrigerant pipes for the AC and the condensate line as well. If that is the case, you need to be careful with putting any nails near them as they are high pressure sometimes going up as high as 450PSI. OK, you have a few options. One build a false wall in front of them. Simply nail vertical boards that extend out further then the widest pipe. Then once those are fastened in place fasten a thin sheet of drywall or paneling on those vertical boards. These vertical boards are the "cleats" that SLS Construction Solutions suggested. For the ceiling, once the wall is corrected you would do simply the same thing. Fasten boards that extended down below the pipes then fasten a new drywall sheet to those boards. Effectively closing in the pipes. Realistically however ceilings are not as big of an issue then a wall. Most folks do not look at the ceilings as they would looking at a wall. So I like them would really only focus on the walls putting my effort in that location. Another way to do this is to purchase plastic louvers that are used on windows. Have them cut to the width of the wall and hang them on the ceiling and allow them to extend down as low at you can. I do have one concern however. You stated that you already hung a curtain down in front of the equipment to hide this part of the system? Please be really careful when doing such a thing. Many furnaces on the front can become quite hot and if the curtains for what ever reason come into contact with the equipment you can cause a fire. If your really close because of lack of space I would suggest that you purchase bi-fold louver doors that already have the hinges on them, paint them and stand them up in front of the equipment. They can be easily moved for service and will not be drawn into the system as curtains possibly can.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Jun 19, 2013
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If you are unable to build a box to actually hide them behind, try painting them the same color as wall or ceiling, whichever they're closest too. They won't be hidden but they will at least sort of blend in.
Martha Hinkle
on Jun 13, 2015
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Hide them? I've been sing the Rustoleum Deep Hammered Bronze spray paint (smell really bad) to make the pipes look "period" and paint the walls with one of the deeper historic colors to compliment each other. Works on clean PVC pipes, too. I like the effect. -- Hank
Hul1971659
on Jul 19, 2015
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