Mounting Cameras Under Soffit

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Mounting Cameras Under Soffit

Paul1977

5043 posts

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#273104 4-Aug-2020 14:02

Can you just screw these directly into the soffit hardie board (or whatever it's called)?

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#2534519 4-Aug-2020 14:08

I have...

But if possible put some thought into mounting the camera lower for a better view, sofit mounted cameras aren't great for identification purposes, I have one installed in a wood shed that gets quite close to, and points at a gate, and will catch the face of someone with a hoodie looking down.

BlueShift

1692 posts

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#2534521 4-Aug-2020 14:13

Yes, but.

For better security, in both senses of the word, there will be joists above the soffit board which will be a more solid attachment point. Or, use an expanding anchor plug to hold on to the hardiboard better.

Paul1977

5043 posts

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#2534544 4-Aug-2020 14:51

Thanks guys, I'll pick up some anchors to be on the safe side.

sbiddle

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#2534545 4-Aug-2020 14:52

Just be aware that depending on the age of your house (anything built before the mid '80s) that fibrelote cladding will contain asbestos. If you are uncertain whether it is then assume it does contain asbestos - ensure you drill to minimise dust and wear an N95 mask and disposable overalls and clean your tools properly.

Talkiet

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#2534548 4-Aug-2020 14:56

Yes. I did. no issues.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

tchart

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#2534592 4-Aug-2020 16:04

I mounted some security lights on the weekend. I used these toggles. They are awesome and don't put strain on the screw hole. Screws should be okay for a light weight camera though.

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/cobra-nylon-toggles-6mm-x-40mm/p/273923

Paul1977

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#2534629 4-Aug-2020 17:10

sbiddle:

Just be aware that depending on the age of your house (anything built before the mid '80s) that fibrelote cladding will contain asbestos. If you are uncertain whether it is then assume it does contain asbestos - ensure you drill to minimise dust and wear an N95 mask and disposable overalls and clean your tools properly.

New build, so no issues there.

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neb

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#2534680 4-Aug-2020 17:35

sbiddle:
Just be aware that depending on the age of your house (anything built before the mid '80s) that fibrelote cladding will contain asbestos. If you are uncertain whether it is then assume it does contain asbestos - ensure you drill to minimise dust and wear an N95 mask and disposable overalls and clean your tools properly.

How high is the risk from drilling a few small holes actually? I can understand it being problematic if you work(ed) in a factory making tiles with asbestos and breathed the dust every day for years or decades, but I can't see anyone dying from drilling a half-dozen holes in an outdoor environment.

Froglotion

208 posts

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#2534684 4-Aug-2020 17:46

You can absolutely get asbestos in your lungs from doing that, just use a vacuum.

As for the OP, cameras weigh nothing, pre drill tiny holes and screw it into the soffit, won't be a problem.

nickb800

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#2534685 4-Aug-2020 17:48

Cheap shaving foam can be useful for minimising dust

neb

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#2534689 4-Aug-2020 17:57

Froglotion:
You can absolutely get asbestos in your lungs from doing that, just use a vacuum.

I know you can get asbestos in your lungs that way if you really try, but what's the actual risk? Asbestosis requires years of prolonged exposure, not a minute chance of a one-off exposure to a tiny amount.

sbiddle

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#2534778 4-Aug-2020 19:48

neb:
Froglotion:

You can absolutely get asbestos in your lungs from doing that, just use a vacuum.

I know you can get asbestos in your lungs that way if you really try, but what's the actual risk? Asbestosis requires years of prolonged exposure, not a minute chance of a one-off exposure to a tiny amount.

There is *no* safe level of asbestos exposure. Yes asbestosis is typically found in people who have had long term exposure to asbestos, but that doesn't mean you should not take all adequate safety measures when working with any surface that goes contain, or is suspected to contain, asbestos.

You should not vacuum dust that may contain asbestos unless you have a vacuum with a HEPA filter, if it doesn't the asbestos particles will just go straight through the vacuum cleaner and be left in the environment.

scuwp

3885 posts

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#2534786 4-Aug-2020 20:11

Just did cameras at home. No issues just screwing into the soffit fibre board. If someone wants to grab the camera I think the mount would break before it pulls out of the soffit.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Bung

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#2534890 5-Aug-2020 07:20

neb:
Froglotion:
You can absolutely get asbestos in your lungs from doing that, just use a vacuum.

I know you can get asbestos in your lungs that way if you really try, but what's the actual risk? Asbestosis requires years of prolonged exposure, not a minute chance of a one-off exposure to a tiny amount.

I don't think it requires years of exposure rather years to become evident. The actual amount required can be a cruel lottery. If you are susceptible it could be a small amount.

Edit (apologies in advance to wiki haters, here's a quote)

"Likewise, the British Government's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states formally that any threshold for exposure to asbestos must be at a very low level and it is widely agreed that if any such threshold does exist at all, then it cannot currently be quantified. For practical purposes, therefore, HSE assumes that no such "safe" threshold exists. Others have noted as well that there is no evidence of a threshold level below which there is no risk of mesothelioma.[33] There appears to be a linear, dose–response relationship, with increasing dose producing increasing risk of disease.[34] Nevertheless, mesothelioma may be related to brief, low level or indirect exposures to asbestos.[27] The dose necessary for effect appears to be lower for asbestos-induced mesothelioma than for pulmonary asbestosis or lung cancer.[27] Again, there is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos as it relates to increased risk of mesothelioma.

The time from first exposure to onset of the disease, is between 25 and 70 years.[35] It is virtually never less than fifteen years and peaks at 30–40 years.[27][36] The duration of exposure to asbestos causing mesothelioma can be short. For example, cases of mesothelioma have been documented with only 1–3 months of exposure.[37][38]"

Tracer

343 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2535477 5-Aug-2020 20:40

Take the time to get a bit tested if you're going to do some work on a pre 80s house (I'd say do it anyway). Mine is 60s and thankfully it's not asbestos.

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