Is it safe to cover this closet back up with sheet rock?
+6
We bought a 1962 home. The closet had a partition wall and wanted to remove it for extra space. The bottom of that wall was crumbling so we took it out and noticed it was damage by a previous leak as well as the back wall of the closet. Currently there are no leaks.
We know the line along the floor is gas and electric that leads to the utility closet in the hall. The utility closet houses the furnace and water heater.
The tall pipe, I'm guessing is cast iron.
My question is is it safe to cover with sheet rock?
A trusted plumber recommend we update the plumbing in the guest bath (other side of the wall) so it's now with in the wall for 2 sinks. Is it a requirement? We are ripping out the sheet rock and vanity on the opposite side of the wall as well.
The expenses for new plumbing is too high. Please share ideas of what what options we have.
Thank you
I think the plumber is seeing dollar signs and deep pockets. You don't need to do anything that you don't need. Cover the wall up with drywall. If you ever need to redo the plumbing in the future that is when to do it. And it would be done on the side of the room in question so it can be done properly.
I think it would be a mistake to cover those lines with sheet rock and tape it and mud. Instead I would install the sheet rock just to hide the pipe and not finish it off. It's in a closet so you could just screw the sheet rock up and call it good. That way it could be removed easily--you can see where it is screwed to the 2 x 4's-- if you ever needed to get to those lines. It could still be painted.
Yes use the existing plumbing when you replace the vanity. As long as the sheet rock will not be against the pipe and wires you can cover them up. If they stick out of the wall cavity you will need to build out the studs so they can seamlessly be covered.
You can definitely use the existing plumbing. You could build a small bulkhead type of covering for the electric and pipes running along the floor. Just be careful not to put any nails or screws into either of them. There are nail plates to cover them where your going to put the studding and sheetrock.
Thank you everyone! We knocked out the vanity and this is what it looks like now.
The plan is to add concrete to level. Sheet rock the back. Install new vanity and level. Use the existing plumbing as well.
Any tips are appreciated. You have all been great. First time on this site.
Btw.....so glad we remove d the vanity. It was wet and moldy.