Put a nail through a wire - what do I do?

Uther · 4 Apr 2017 at 20:26

dirtychinchilla said:
Good idea, though I've got no board! Maybe a little piece of wood would do? Thanks!

Yes I've built holes up with wood before, you don't really want to be putting loads of filler in. It doesn't really matter how rough it looks under the filler, you're never going to see it again.
(unless you forget and think it's a great spot for a mirror in a couple of years...)

dirtychinchilla · 5 Apr 2017 at 08:12

BadMojo said:
Where were you trying to put the mirror? Cabling should only be in certain zones and if you stay clear of them, you should be safe. If not in zone, then there should be mechanical protection, etc, which it sounds like yours may have been inadequate.

But it is always better to use a detector first.

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Safe_zones_for_electric_cables

Yeah realistically, the fact is that I'm an idiot. That's a great website, thank you.

There was no mechanical protection over the cables and they were just behind the plasterboard, but apparently that is allowed as long as you have an RCD, which we do of course.

Uther said:
Yes I've built holes up with wood before, you don't really want to be putting loads of filler in. It doesn't really matter how rough it looks under the filler, you're never going to see it again.
(unless you forget and think it's a great spot for a mirror in a couple of years...)

Haha I hope I don't forget!

I'm still looking for recommendations on ready mixed filler if anyone has any?

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 5 Apr 2017 at 08:27

This, its quite fast drying so you can build up layers quite quickly, thin layers dry far faster that thick ones

http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-fine-surface-filler-white-600g/71551

people think I am bonkers till they try this, but a tea spoon makes a brilliant filling tool apart from getting the final flat surface where a traditional filling tool is best

dirtychinchilla · 5 Apr 2017 at 08:28

Haha well if I had a spare teaspoon, I'd certainly try it. I'll try and nab one from somewhere.

So you'd recommend building up lots of small layers? This hole is at least 20 mm deep.

Uther · 5 Apr 2017 at 08:33

Yes thin layers, you want to make sure each layer is totally dry before you move on to the next one. For a 20mm hole I would probably do 3-4 layers personally.

dirtychinchilla · 5 Apr 2017 at 08:34

OK cool, thanks for the advice.

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 5 Apr 2017 at 08:36

Yes I think its 4mm max thickness, as with all these things take your time.
Honestly just keep adding a thin layer. I would expect to fill 20mm over a weekend, maybe a little quicker.
2mm will probably dry in 20-30 mins to a level that you can add another 2mm. I would fill about 15mm or so day one, let it dry fully over night and finish the next day.

Any tea spoon will do, just rinse under a tap after each application, the filler is water soluble when wet, like rock when dry though

dirtychinchilla · 6 Apr 2017 at 14:21

Awesome, thanks!

LOAM · 6 Apr 2017 at 22:56

Expandy foam, you know you want to.

dirtychinchilla · 7 Apr 2017 at 08:19

Maybe if I didn't own the place!