Need to make a access panel that looks good and is not obvious

BennyBaby · Dec 17, 2005

Any do-it-yourselfers ever find that a bathrooms plumbing wasn't accessible because the builder put it behind a wall and then corrected the issue yourself by making their own panels or doors?????
I need to make a 13x24 inch access in a bathroom wall in order to get to the valves and pipes for the bathroom that is on the other side of the wall. I was thinking of just making a wood frame and using the drywall as my access panel. The panel would have to be held closed by four screws/washers and that may not be pleasing to the eye because the panel would be right in the middle of the wall. I could cover the panel with a mirror or picture, but that part of the wall is a lousy place for either of those two options.
I was hoping some company made these kinds of access panels..any ideas?

Cass · Dec 17, 2005

Why do you need to access the valve now?

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

TonyBagadonutz · Dec 17, 2005

bennybaby said:
I was thinking of just making a wood frame and using the drywall as my access panel. The panel would have to be held closed by four screws/washers

The sheetrock would fail and crumble after a few uses.

You CAN buy an access hatch/door of just about any size you want...or make one from plywood(sand it very well with 120-150 to make it very smooth.)

Mike Swearingen · Dec 17, 2005

You can buy plastic access panels that fit between studs in varying heights, or you can buy a cabinet door and adapt it as an access panel, or you can just make one from plywood.
Lots of ways to skin that cat.
Mike

BennyBaby · Dec 18, 2005

Who sells these access panels guys? Lowes and home depot don't. I have started leaning to making a recessed storage shelf..I don't want to spend the time and effort, but may have to.
Cass..for six years I had jammed up/ poorly functioning hot and cold water valves in the shower stall, I couldn't get to the fixture from the front because it is a one-piece fiberglass stall, you don't want to cut that, and my only other option was tearing a hole in the other bathroom wall, now I have a chance to make an access panel. The new fixtures behind the wall may last 5, 10 or 30 years..but they are guaranteed to need service or replacement someday.

George R · Dec 18, 2005

Access panel

The Lowes around here (central IL) definately sells them, because I just bought one last week. 14" x14" cost $13.97. They are in the plumbing dept. and they have various sizes. Just cut a hole in drywall and glue on with construction adhesive.

BennyBaby · Dec 19, 2005

Thx george! I'll go back to my Lowes again...the weekend crew looked at me like I was speaking martian when I asked them.

Taylor · Dec 20, 2005

http://www.accesspanelsolutions.com/

mixdenny · Dec 20, 2005

Home Depot has them as well. I just looked up the sizes on my Home Depot stock ordering program. Plastic ones made by Oatey (Yea, my wife works for Oatey) are 6x9 and 15x15 and are in the plumbing department. Metal ones go up to 24x24 and they are near the gutters at my local store, although I have no idea why! Dennis

kellyb · Jan 12, 2006

we solved a similar problem (in this case it was needing access to a shutoff valve in a guest bedroom) by making a plywood panel with a 1/2 in trim frame, and holding it in place with a couple magnetic latches. I painted it to match the wall, and put a small knob on it. the actual access is framed with 1X4 to give the opening a clean interior. The panel sits flush with the wall. It is both unobtrusive and functional.

JDkimes · Jan 12, 2006

Do any of these pre-fab access devices work for some thing that sticks out from the wall just a bit? I finished my basement and the water shut-off sticks out an inch or so. I could make something but wanted to see if something pre-made looked/worked better.

jomon2 · Jan 27, 2006

Access Panels

Hey!

E Bay has a number of access panels on sale almost all the time.

hj · Jan 28, 2006

access panel

Did it ever occur to you that the reason the builder "buried" the plumbing in the wall is because you would normally not have to work on it? Why do you think you need the opening?

Prashster · Feb 9, 2006

Instead of matching the panel to the rest of the wall, did you consider matching the rest of the wall to the panel?

If your access panel is less than 36" off the floor, you could do a beadboard wainscot around the whole room. You could do 1x6 stiles and rails, and panel the centers with beadboard. This will make for a more durable and attractive access panel than a drywall square.

Need to make a access panel that looks good and is not obvious

Users who are viewing this thread

BennyBaby

New Member

Cass

Plumber

Sponsor

Paid Advertisement

TonyBagadonutz

Electrician

Mike Swearingen

New Member

BennyBaby

New Member

George R

New Member

BennyBaby

New Member

Taylor

New Member

mixdenny

New Member

kellyb

New Member

JDkimes

Engineer

jomon2

New Member

hj

Master Plumber

Prashster

New Member

Similar threads