How to bring this electrical box flush to wall

[white91formula]

Hi guys. I have this electrical outlet my pellet stove is plugged into. The outlet/box was run in the basement when it was framed. At somepoint a previous owner built a brick wall along one wall and put a pellet stove in. As you can see they did not flush mount the box to the brick wall.

For whatever reason i find myself needing to unplug the stove more and more frequently and it is a total pain to get the plug back in.

What are my options for bringing this box flush to the brick wall to make everything easier ?

I do not have access to the backside of it. I can try to get better pictures if needed.

 

[slow]

can you use a box extension? Hard to see if you have full access to the box there or not.

 

[welder4956]

How about a box extender?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/RACO-1-Gang-Silver-Steel-New-Work-Old-Work-Standard-Box-Extender-Wall-Electrical-Box/1082899

https://www.lowes.com/pd/RACO-1-Gang-Silver-Steel-New-Work-Old-Work-Standard-Box-Extender-Wall-Electrical-Box/1005005

 

[mike93lx]

Extending that out will likely be a pain, if even possible.

I would probably just grab a 1ft extension cord on Amazon and use that to unplug the stove from outside the wall.

 

[JRC3]

But seriously, how about something along these lines? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077XNHXZG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mike93lx]

That is absolutely stellar. Thanks for being willing to share your handiwork here

 

[b-boy]

But seriously, how about something along these lines? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077XNHXZG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Yikes - just yikes.

Well, at least the didn't leave exposed copper. Oh wait...

Well at least it's not like spray foam/foam board is flammable. Oh wait...

 

[nadogail]

That image will keep me from sleeping.

 

[Bert_]

Is the hole in the brick lined up with the box? Looks like it's off a bit. If that's the case a box extender isn't going to work. Not sure if you can get a box extender that will get it out the four inches required..


I think I would knock the existing box out, say a few prayers that the Romex has some slack in it, then bring the Romex into the back of a masonry box and mortar it in.

 

[white91formula]

can you use a box extension? Hard to see if you have full access to the box there or not.

The box sits slightly lower than the hole in the bricks. dont think a box would work very easily.

 

[The Cobbler]

is the wore long enough to get the plug to the face of the brick or do yo need to add to it?

if it's long enough you just need to get the box out , move it flush & fasten it. (just may not be an easy chore)

 

[larry4406]

The box sits slightly lower than the hole in the bricks. dont think a box would work very easily.

As others have said, the wires being long enough to relocate is key.

Can you use a oscillating tool to cut the brick to fit an extension?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

But seriously, how about something along these lines? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077XNHXZG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

wow thats scary

I just bought a set of these. Theyre less than half the price of the ones you linked to

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CVFD2KC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[JRC3]

I just bought a set of these. Theyre less than half the price of the ones you linked to

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CVFD2KC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I saw those but suggested the other because of its size and orientation.

I use smartthings and have several different Z-wave brands. Most of which are too large or run perpendicular to the outlet and probably won't fit in the OP's brick opening. Smartthings would fit but requires a hub. There are many wifi only options out there.

 

[yeldogt]

But seriously, how about something along these lines? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077XNHXZG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought a house from that guy!

 

[welder4956]

The box sits slightly lower than the hole in the bricks. dont think a box would work very easily.

Looks like the mortar at the bottom side of the box could be chipped out to line it up.

 

[CharlieM]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004K1G126/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Wonder is this will fit.


But like others have said. Your are probably going to have to extend the wire to get it into the new box.

 

[AntonLargiader]

If the wires aren’t long enough to reach a new box, I think I would remove the old box to provide room in the wall cavity, use concealed splices to extend the wires, then run them into the back of a new masonry box that is mortared in. You will love having a solidly installed flush box.

 

[Git]

If the wires aren’t long enough to reach a new box, I think I would remove the old box to provide room in the wall cavity, use concealed splices to extend the wires, then run them into the back of a new masonry box that is mortared in. You will love having a solidly installed flush box.

That is what I was going to suggest.

Pick up one the approved splice kits (ya, wait for all the complainer comments) and install a new box.

 

[ard]

I think I would knock the existing box out, say a few prayers that the Romex has some slack in it, then bring the Romex into the back of a masonry box and mortar it in.

Good advice- cleaner than an extension too. He could remove the receptacle and test to see if there is some slack in the romex...before fully committing and knocking the box out. Even an inch or two might do it, since the box is moving at right angles to the presumed romex direction.... ideally not stapled a in above.

 

[Jim greengo]

Is the hole in the brick lined up with the box? Looks like it's off a bit. If that's the case a box extender isn't going to work. Not sure if you can get a box extender that will get it out the four inches required..


I think I would knock the existing box out, say a few prayers that the Romex has some slack in it, then bring the Romex into the back of a masonry box and mortar it in.

Exactly

 

[sberry]

I like the double feeds to the new recept, didn't want to take any chances.

 

[Kenstone1]

Extending that out will likely be a pain, if even possible.

I would probably just grab a 1ft extension cord on Amazon and use that to unplug the stove from outside the wall.

This ^
Use a power strip instead of an extension cord, power strips have an ON/OFF switch.

 

[white91formula]

I tried getting in there and there is going to be no easy way for me to knock the box out or test if there is slack in the wires.

cant get a screwdriver to the bottom screw on the outlet to take it out.

I might have to just go the short extension cord route.

 

[AntonLargiader]

I assumed it was a plastic box that could be cut/broken out of there, but maybe not.

 

[75gmck25]

I think you need to cut or chip out enough brick to remove the box cover, and then figure out the fix from there. A masonry chisel should work well to remove a small piece of brick.

If you get the box cover off you could then convert the old box to just a junction. Buy a cover with a 1/2" hole in it (here is an example https://www.lighthousesupply.com/el...-1-hole-white-rectangle-electrical-box-cover/), and then run new wire in conduit out from the cover to a new box that is surface mounted on the wall. This will provide access to the wire junction in the old box (which meets code requirement), but the new box will be much easier to reach.

Bruce

 

[Bert_]

Looks like plastic or fiberglass. Just use a small prybar and hammer to break it and pull out the pieces. Don't bother unscrewing the outlet if you can't get to the screws.

If the wires come into the top of the box you will be fine since the new box will be a bit higher.

 

[Git]

I think you need to cut or chip out enough brick to remove the box cover, and then figure out the fix from there. A masonry chisel should work well to remove a small piece of brick.

If you get the box cover off you could then convert the old box to just a junction. Buy a cover with a 1/2" hole in it (here is an example https://www.lighthousesupply.com/el...-1-hole-white-rectangle-electrical-box-cover/), and then run new wire in conduit out from the cover to a new box that is surface mounted on the wall. This will provide access to the wire junction in the old box (which meets code requirement), but the new box will be much easier to reach.

Bruce

This forum has been down that road before... Leaving the old box in place would be a code violation of having a non-accessible junction box. But if you can remove the box and the existing romex is long enough to get into a new box, you could then add extensions in the box or just go with the code approved tap that I posted

 

[white91formula]

This forum has been down that road before... Leaving the old box in place would be a code violation of having a non-accessible junction box. But if you can remove the box and the existing romex is long enough to get into a new box, you could then add extensions in the box or just go with the code approved tap that I posted

I dont want to cut/break/pry the existing box out without knowing the romex is long enough for a new box in the brick. I also dont want to have to mess with the bricks or breaking one or two out.

That being said for now i think im going to just get a 1' extension cord and live with that. Not elegant but it will be much more convenient than how it is now.