Preexisting Electiric Meter and Vinyl Siding - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

HandyHails · 03-25-2009, 07:07 AM

I need som advice. I'm gonna put together a bid on a vinyl job. No big deal really. Just about 5 square on the side of a house over brick in the city.
I've installed siding many times before, but always while working for someone else on new construction.
There is an existing electric meter mounted w/ the large cable coming down the side of the house vertically from the roof and continuing to the basement. My first thought was just to J-channel the box and cover the wiring as the wood slats will be about the same thickness as the wires. On second thought I'm thinking that may not be a great idea in case they ever need to replace that wiring. They would have to yank the siding for access.

How would you guys handle this situation?

Also, what is the preferred method to attach the wood to the bricks? Tapcon or Ramset?

Thanks

MetalBender · 03-25-2009, 07:37 AM

L shaped bends on both sides of the line in and line out, with hems to receive a box that will just push into place. Never shoot into brick, they shatter, tapcon and not into mortar.

A W Smith · 03-25-2009, 09:28 AM

Whos meter pan is it? With some util co's it belongs to the homeowner. others it belongs to the utility co. Either way I always have it pulled off the wall. Because if they decide to change the service in the future it wont look like a hack job. I have it remounted on top of the siding when the job is done. . Some times the utility company will do it for free. Sometimes they wont touch it. if not, Call your electrician

1mancrew · 03-25-2009, 10:17 AM

Just take the meter, service entrance cable, and weatherhead loose from the wall and run your siding. You can work around the insulater (at top where service is attached to building). Boxing around the meter and cable always looks like a hack job. Oh...yeah...use a fiberglass ladder. Have building owner call electric co. after your finished to install a new seal on meter base.

paul100 · 03-25-2009, 09:09 PM

Using tapcons to install enough ferring strips for 5 square is going to take some time. What we ususally do is get harden concrete nails for one of our framing nailers. We glue and then nail the strips to the wall. Speeds the job up doing it this way. We also insulate between the ferrings and then wrap with tyvec.

plazaman · 03-25-2009, 09:26 PM

we encountered this numerous times from working in the city. matter of fact... we just did a side today with the meter mounted on wall with cable on top. luckily, the service from this house has been cut. so j around the meter panel and removing the brackets holding the wire, then remount onto the siding.

mikec · 03-26-2009, 05:52 AM

I always have a sparky pull the meter. Then I put up a mounting block, and have them put the meter on it. While they are there I'll have them pull the cable and weather head, then I wrap my rake. Then sparky can put the cable back with new clips. I usually cut around the insulator, but you can have the power company come out and pull the service from the house. Most of the guys from NU I've met are good guys. You call them to put a safety sleeve on the power line, when they are there doing it, if you are ready, they will pull the insulator, and hold the power line with their bucket truck while you put your wrap on.

HandyHails · 03-26-2009, 07:02 AM

Thanks Mike. What do you use for the mounting block?

Paul, thanks for the tip on the hardened nails. Where do you pick those up? Also do you think my cordless Paslode would shoot w/ enough force?

mikec · 03-26-2009, 09:05 AM

I use these from mid america, its also available in jumbo size

Patrick · 03-26-2009, 10:10 AM

If the meter box can easily be opened and un-screwed we take it off and remount it. If its one of those ones that requires you to pull the glass, we leave it. But what we do is take metal the same color as the siding and slip it behind the meter on all 4 sides, and then J it out. Since you have the metal you can put the top J a few inches above the box so you dont have to notch around the bushing. NEVER side over the electric wires. We side over telephone and cable tv though

The mid america blocks are OK if your doing white siding, cause thats the only color most people stock, I never feel like waiting around for a color matched block to come in

paul100 · 03-26-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HandyHails

Thanks Mike. What do you use for the mounting block?

Paul, thanks for the tip on the hardened nails. Where do you pick those up? Also do you think my cordless Paslode would shoot w/ enough force?

I own the cordless Paslode and I really dont think that has the power to do it. You need something like the Senco sn70xp which is designed for shooting hardened nails.

HandyHails · 03-26-2009, 06:01 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I now have the info needed to bid this job appropriately. I appreciate the time you took to help.

Josh

rbsremodeling · 03-26-2009, 06:06 PM

Be a man pull the meter face and remove the can from the wall

HandyHails · 03-26-2009, 06:44 PM

I'm gonna have her call and see who's responsibility it is to pull the meter. I know your just kidding, but I'd never tamper w/ the box one way or another. (unless i can figure out how to get free lectric at my house

)

tom m · 03-26-2009, 07:33 PM

I call the utility company and they pull the meter free from the wall so you can side behind. Usually with-in 48 hours of your call will they come back to reconnect it. Should never open that meter yourself.....very dangerous.

tomstruble · 03-26-2009, 09:20 PM

call the power company they will pull the pans here in Nj best way to handle it

mikec · 03-27-2009, 06:16 AM

Once they pull the meter just be careful nailing a block or J or whatever you use. I saw someone once nail right into the breaker box.