Plan to drill some holes on the cinder block wall between ours and the neighbor's. Is it allowed?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Plan to drill some holes on the cinder block wall between ours and the neighbor's. Is it allowed?

Huchiz

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#177536 5-Aug-2015 20:50

Would like to install some shelves on the wall of the living room, thus need to drill some holes to install the anchors. The cinder wall is in the middle of the house, in-between ours and the neighbors.

Just like to check, is there any code against doing so?

linw

2849 posts

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#1359664 5-Aug-2015 20:52

No idea but make sure the drill doesn't go right through

LennonNZ

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#1359669 5-Aug-2015 21:04

I'm not a builder but I presume this is a firewall and acoustic dampening between the 2 premises. I would ask a qualified builder this question.

I don't know the answer but who owns the wall if its between the 2 houses and if it is damaged/affects integrity , who pays?

shk292

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#1359671 5-Aug-2015 21:09

Having lived in several "semi-detached" and terraced houses in the UK I can honestly say it would never have crossed my mind to consider the neighbours in a case like this. Provided you don't drill right through, who is to know?

networkn

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#1359673 5-Aug-2015 21:11

LennonNZ: I'm not a builder but I presume this is a firewall and acoustic dampening between the 2 premises. I would ask a qualified builder this question.

I don't know the answer but who owns the wall if its between the 2 houses and if it is damaged/affects integrity , who pays?

From experience (not exactly yours) we put a few holes in a firewall (bigger than yours) and the cost to fix it was pretty minimal. The cost to certify it as fixed to satisfy all the parties you require to notify like your insurance company, well over $500. That was sending photos to an engineer who reviewed it and sent an invoice. Had he of been required onsite, minimum $1500.

Huchiz

221 posts

Master Geek

#1359674 5-Aug-2015 21:12

LennonNZ: I'm not a builder but I presume this is a firewall and acoustic dampening between the 2 premises. I would ask a qualified builder this question.

I don't know the answer but who owns the wall if its between the 2 houses and if it is damaged/affects integrity , who pays?

Yes, I assume it is also the firewall. Some tiny holes with care shouldn't affect it's integrity.

But I'm not a professional builder, thus the question.

LennonNZ

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#1359677 5-Aug-2015 21:13

http://www.propertygenie.co.nz/property-and-the-law/property-party-wall-easements

Depends who "owns" the wall (whose property is it build on (or both)) - and if you have an easement if you can actually do anything with it.

Even if you do have this information will making holes in the walls reduce firerating etc (See: Ask Qualified builder)

When I bought my place I had 1/2 a page of easements and the lawyer had to search for all of them and explain what they meant.

Huchiz

221 posts

Master Geek

#1359680 5-Aug-2015 21:20

networkn:
LennonNZ: I'm not a builder but I presume this is a firewall and acoustic dampening between the 2 premises. I would ask a qualified builder this question.

I don't know the answer but who owns the wall if its between the 2 houses and if it is damaged/affects integrity , who pays?

From experience (not exactly yours) we put a few holes in a firewall (bigger than yours) and the cost to fix it was pretty minimal. The cost to certify it as fixed to satisfy all the parties you require to notify like your insurance company, well over $500. That was sending photos to an engineer who reviewed it and sent an invoice. Had he of been required onsite, minimum $1500.

My GOD!

So again, the work itself is tiny and "harmless" according to some common sense. But it affects insurance and need to be certified, thus big big cost?

We actually bought the house by auction, thus no building reported was done. The previous owner had some small hooks on the firewall for hanging photo frames. These are small hooks with tiny tiny nails. Of course the nail is in the wall.

How did that nails thing went through?

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timmmay

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#1359686 5-Aug-2015 21:22

Freestanding shelves.

DarthKermit

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#1359688 5-Aug-2015 21:25

Huchiz

221 posts

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#1359691 5-Aug-2015 21:31

LennonNZ: http://www.propertygenie.co.nz/property-and-the-law/property-party-wall-easements

Depends who "owns" the wall (whose property is it build on (or both)) - and if you have an easement if you can actually do anything with it.

Even if you do have this information will making holes in the walls reduce firerating etc (See: Ask Qualified builder)

When I bought my place I had 1/2 a page of easements and the lawyer had to search for all of them and explain what they meant.

Thanks for the info.

Will need to check .

chevrolux

4962 posts

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#1359704 5-Aug-2015 22:00

Are people seriously suggesting a pro has to come and drill a couple of 6mm holes?

Just do it. No harm will come of it. You need to drill maybe 30mm deep at the most. No one is going to care or even know you have done it for that matter.

NZ is getting far too touchy about things like this ever since that stupid 'qualified trades' thing came in to play. I would love to see the face on a builder when someone asks them to come and put up some shelves because they are worried about code.