I need some inexpensive DIY ideas on how to hide this water access

I need to cover and insulate this access, but it needs to be accessible to workers and inspectors. It also needs to stay put in windy weather.
It's about 24 inches long
It's about 18 inches wide
  16 answers
  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on Sep 22, 2016
    Can you plant some attractive landscaping to hide it?
  • Alan Toering Alan Toering on Sep 22, 2016
    Use evergreens depending on height and exposure and leave enough room for access by a 6ft 250 lb person.
  • Gea9919639 Gea9919639 on Sep 22, 2016
    get large clay pot soak in water for 24 hrs draw a small door for the "fairy or gnome" cut carefully and sand spray expanding foam insulation on outside of pot and wait til it sets carve your design ... tree stump spray paint add little decirations like a little sign water here! Its fairly cheap if you go to thrift shop for pots and decor Don t forget the gmome :)
  • Sugarmouse Sugarmouse on Sep 22, 2016
    how about one of those large fake rocks with spray insulation in it and maybe a few low growing evergreens around it for extra protection
  • Sophia,M.,McConnery Sophia,M.,McConnery on Sep 22, 2016
    First since the inspectors only check certain parts,I would ask which parts.The parts they do not check cover in fiberglass pink.You could make a box with old skids and make a hinged lid for it.This would hide everything.Line the inside of the box with fiberglass pink!
  • Josephine Howland Josephine Howland on Sep 22, 2016
    Hi, we live in the frigid White Mountains of NH, so I know exactly what you mean. For our water pump we have a heated insulated pump house. I got the plans online from (I thought) the University of Wisconsin, but know I couldn't find it for you. Basically, you build an insulated box and to heat it, you put a light bulb or two. You can wire in an old bathroom fixture, or just us a work lite. It has kept our water from freezing for a few years now.
  • Rynn Rynn on Sep 22, 2016
    The obvious solution is those big fake rocks. But a 5 gallon paint bucket might work. 1- place the bucket over your plumbing to check for fit. You can cut it to adjust for pipes, etc. 2-paint the buck to blend with landscape. 3- cover your plumbing with thick plastic. 4- fill the bucket with Great Stuff insulating foam. You may need to drill a hole in the side of the bucket for easier access. Go slow as this stuff expands, but sets up quickly. You now have a custom cover, and a spot for a pretty plant!
  • Lori Cantor Lori Cantor on Sep 22, 2016
    Where do you live? I have yuccas planted around my well head. Stays green in winter, too.
  • B J  Alexis B J Alexis on Sep 22, 2016
    You could plant some evergreen bushes to surround the front and sides but not cover the pump, leaving the back free for access.
  • Sue Kiene Sue Kiene on Sep 22, 2016
    I think the idea of a box is ok but I would have the side of it hinged so it can be opened. Either make the top like a planter or maybe a seat/bench of some sort out in your garden or maybe a gardening table. Rather difficult to be more specific with not being able to see the more surrounding location.
  • Nita Vono Nita Vono on Sep 22, 2016
    Look for a big cooler or kids play box at a thrift store. Cut it up as needed to fit. Spray paint it to blend. Insulated already.
  • Cathy Cathy on Sep 22, 2016
    If you could find a kid's play house---small but big enough to cover it---paint it to look how you want it to, then buy a big gnome to put outside it---that would look adorable and could be lifted off whenever work needs to be done---and you could put insulation inside and paint where the window holes are to look like the inside of the house.
  • Paula Paula on Sep 22, 2016
    Build a fairy house, you could use old recycled wood, license plates for roof . Then plant small plants for landscape. It can be as eloquent as your imagination
  • Linda Davis Linda Davis on Sep 22, 2016
    Plant a curved row of forsythia, but leave back side open for workers to get in. Could also set an old swing set frame in front of it and plant wisteria or another fast growing climber, then build / plant out sides so you have a little hidden spot for a hammock on the frame or a comfy chair, bird bath,...
  • Rick Diamond Rick Diamond on Sep 26, 2016
    Build a bench over it and insulate make top open up
  • Pete Giegerich Pete Giegerich on Jun 14, 2021

    Old dog house