How thick is my wall

[beejay]

We're rewiring a 1962 built semi detached house and would like to chase some sockets into the wall between us and next door. I'd like to be sure on the thickness of this wall before drilling into it. It is built of brick and supports the upstairs floor joists at the front of the house so I'm assuming its at least two courses thick (unless the joist carries on through into next door?). This is a pic of the attic wall...



The fact you can see the "ends" of bricks suggest to me they're tying together two courses of brick (English bond?) unless they were using up a load of halves where they wouldn't be seen There aren't any gaps that I can reach in to feel how thick the wall is. Anyone able to help?

[mk1fan]

Are the sockets going in the loft?

Regardless, you should be safe chopping in a 35mm back box into a masonry Party Wall. If it's not at least a 1-brick (or a cavity) wall I think you'd have more pressing issues. To be fair, even a 1/2-brick wall that's been wet plastered can accomodate a neatly / properly chased in 35mm back box and oval conduit.

[bimsb6]

why not surface mount if it's only in the loft ?

[Mandat]

Also, if you're cutting chases into a Party Wall, you will need to comply with the requirements of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.

[mk1fan]

It's universaly accepted that if the works are limited to chasing in of a small number of sockets then the Party Wall Act need not be followed.

[Mandat]

mk1fan said:

It's universaly accepted that if the works are limited to chasing in of a small number of sockets then the Party Wall Act need not be followed.

As long as you don't use a kango to cut the chase, a la Roadrunner Properties Ltd – v - Dean and Suffolk and Essex – 2004

[mk1fan]

That was about inserting structural steel into a wall so hardly the same.

It doesn't matter what paperwork is in place if the person carrying out the work does so without any care or thought.

[beejay]

The sockets aren't going into the attic, just thought it may be a useful photo as it's the only place with all the brickwork on show. Planning to put 5 sockets in spread amongst the various rooms.

I've been doing the ones on the other walls with a grinder to cut through the plaster cleanly, chain drilling to the correct depth then a SDS to chisel the brickwork away.

[Mandat]

mk1fan said:

That was about inserting structural steel into a wall so hardly the same.

It doesn't matter what paperwork is in place if the person carrying out the work does so without any care or thought.

I believe it was to cut a chase for new pipework, but as you say, if the contractor cocks up it's little consolation.