My east wall backs up to my patio and there's an external outlet there but no outlet on the east wall of the garage. I want to piggyback off of the external outlet to install one in the garage. Do I need to worry about weather seals or anything since I'm basically creating a hole through both sides of the wall? I assume not but figured I'd ask some experts. Also, I assume I can do the piggyback in the first place but if not I'll appreciate ya'll stopping me from making a mistake.
Pulling Electric and exterior walls
- Thread starter pds0006
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Dan0myte
Well-known member
A picture of it would probably help.
Is the outlet on the east wall of the house an exterior box mounted to the outside of the wall, or is it flush with the wall and mounted inside to the 2x4's?
Is the outlet on the east wall of the house an exterior box mounted to the outside of the wall, or is it flush with the wall and mounted inside to the 2x4's?
Yep, it's an exterior outlet surface mounted in the brick. In the picture you can see a coax outlet the original owners installed. The cabling was actually run down the garage side of the wall rather than IN it. So I know an outlet can be located there once I pull that plate out.
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mdbeck1
Well-known member
You should probably figure out what else is on that circuit before you do too much.
Plug something into the plug and flip the breakers until it turns off. Then go around the hose and see what else doesn't work. One of the plug wiring checkers is pretty useful to check the other plugs.
Plug something into the plug and flip the breakers until it turns off. Then go around the hose and see what else doesn't work. One of the plug wiring checkers is pretty useful to check the other plugs.
tfi racing
Well-known member
I think your biggest issue will be with the bricks and mortar.They likely are blocking off all the cable access holes in that existing box,once you get around that problem,it should be possible.
MrMark
Well-known member
You should be fine. You do not need to worry about any weather seals. The only weather seal to check should be that outlet in the exterior wall. Make sure it has a silicone bead.
Cut very carefully from the inside and turn the power off to that outlet. You need to watch for wires in that cavity you are going into. Easy job. Just use a remodel box or better yet, one of the new smart boxes with the screws on the angle so you can hit the stud with the box screws.
Nostraquedeo
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2009
- Messages
- 501
Make sure the new box inside is not in the same spot as the box outside. You might not have enough room for both boxes being back-to-back. Mount the new box higher or on the opposite side of the cavity.
ddawg16
Well-known member
Like Nost said....make sure they are not back to back....
The outside outlet 'should' be attached to a stud.
Since you are cutting a new hole inside the garage, you will be using an 'old construction' box. This is the type that has tabs that pop up into place to hold the box. Hence, you really don't need to install it next to a stud....you can, but not necessary.
Figure out where that stud is that the existing outside box is attached to...that will give an idea of the area you can put your new box. Looking at the photo, I would assume your new box is going to be higher than the one outside.
Determine your spot...cut the hole to match the box.
Outside...remove the outlet...knock out a hole in the top of the box and fish your wire up to the hole where the new box is going to be.
Be aware, you might have insulation to deal with....
This is one of those jobs that is not hard....just tedious....
Also be aware that your outside outlet is (should) be on a GFI....which is ok...because garage outlets are also supposed to be on a GFI. I doubt load is going to be a big issue in that it's unlikely you would be using both at the same time.
The outside outlet 'should' be attached to a stud.
Since you are cutting a new hole inside the garage, you will be using an 'old construction' box. This is the type that has tabs that pop up into place to hold the box. Hence, you really don't need to install it next to a stud....you can, but not necessary.
Figure out where that stud is that the existing outside box is attached to...that will give an idea of the area you can put your new box. Looking at the photo, I would assume your new box is going to be higher than the one outside.
Determine your spot...cut the hole to match the box.
Outside...remove the outlet...knock out a hole in the top of the box and fish your wire up to the hole where the new box is going to be.
Be aware, you might have insulation to deal with....
This is one of those jobs that is not hard....just tedious....
Also be aware that your outside outlet is (should) be on a GFI....which is ok...because garage outlets are also supposed to be on a GFI. I doubt load is going to be a big issue in that it's unlikely you would be using both at the same time.