Plastic sheet behind recessed meter box

[jmhill]

Hi,

I'm installing a recessed meter box into the wall of my house the instructions show to install a plastic sheet behind it on the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Presumably this is to act as moisture barrier. My question is how should the sheet be held in place when retro fitting?

Thanks

Jon

 

[theprinceofdarkness]

I would think that its to stop water which gets into the box from dripping onto the inner leaf. Looks like a badly designed box. So you need to glue or pin the plastic sheet to the inner skin with its top higher then the back of the box and the bottom lower then the box and angled right across the cavity so any water drips won't just run off it onto the inner skin, but are directed outwards against the back of the outer skin at a point lower then the bottom of the box.
I have two meter boxes, they are both rubbish, the bottom edge of the door drags on the box, so its hard to open the door, one of them has the triangular "lock" pin broken as the plastic degrades with sunlight. Am trying WD40 to see if that lasts.
Frank

 

[JohnD]

prince

you can get a meter-box repair kit for a few pounds. Some of them include a metal latch.

 

[^woody^]

There is no need for a sheet behind the meter box, but you do need a cavity tray above it. And a lintel.