Wall Chasing Problems

[djjohnjones]

Hi please dont have a go as im not great with building terminology and dont know it all. Im chasing out some walls in my house for some new plug sockets. The problem im having is when i chisel about 5-10mm in (i think) the chisel will go through to the brick for the other wall as if my bricks are hollow but this means my back boxes go to deep if i put some polly filler/plaster on the brick at the back before and then drill put in my wall plugs and screw my back boxes will that be okay or should i do it a different way.
Thanks

 

[securespark]

You don't mean brick, surely, you mean block?

What colour are they?

Post some pictures of your work.

 

[JohnD]

I prefer to use sand and cement mortar (spray the dry blocks with water to moisten them first). It is stronger and easier to work, very cheap, and you can pack it round to hold the metal backbox firmly. It is also a firestop. It may take a bit of time and care, but in your own home is worth it for a good job. Don't tighten screws for a couple of days while it hardens, and keep it damp while curing. Recess it enough to add a finish of easiplast (or filler if you feel you must)

 

[djjohnjones]

Hi im sure they are brick they are reddish colour. I noticed a while back i went to put a TV bracket up and noticed when drilling for the bracket and and when drilling there was force but then the drill bit just went through like butter. Would my technique of poly filling the back when finished chasing and then when dried screw my back boxes in which are plastic sorry im a bit of a newbie to it

 

[stillp]

my back boxes in which are plastic

Are you using dry lining boxes? Back boxes are usually metal.

 

[djjohnjones]

Hi im using something like these http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-2g-moulded-box-32mm-pack-of-5/46005

 

[stillp]

Those are surface mounting boxes, not intended to be chased into a wall.

 

[stillp]

You need these: http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-installation-boxes-galvanised-steel-2-gang-25mm-pack-of-10/44706

 

[djjohnjones]

oops i understand now because i rushed when i bought them. I guess they will still work okay though right?

 

[stillp]

They might protrude round the edge of the sockets, and you'll have a job getting plaster or filler to stick to them.

 

[djjohnjones]

okay i understand thanks for the help. so if i got the metal ones and then put some filler on the brick at the back then when dried screwed them in that would be completely fine

 

[djjohnjones]

Okay i understand thanks for the help so if i did get the metal ones and used poly filler the smooth of the back brick also so the box will be flush and then when dried screw them in that will work okay???

 

[Iggifer]

Dab adhesive also works marvellously for this, just wait till it's nearly gone off, plop the box in and it's not coming out.

Have had to do that before on tanked walls that couldn't be studded out.

And unfortunately, some bricks do just explode when you try and chisel them. You can stitch drill them to try and contain the explosiveness but it sounds like it's too late for that.

Are you sure you're through to the next brick and not just hitting the frog? (The void in the brick)

 

[flameport]

Get some of this: http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p87635
Mix a suitable amount with water, shove it in the wall, press metal box into it so that it's level and in the correct place.
Remove any excess and wait 20 minutes for it to set. You can then fit the cables etc.

 

[djjohnjones]

im not sure as there seems to be the brick that im hitting with the chisel is not very thick then a hollow part then what looks to be a brick behind