Question For Sidewallers...

mdshunk

When you're putting vinyl siding on a building that already has some sort of finish material on it, how do you typically deal with the electric meter? Do you J around it? Do you pull it yourself and put up a meter J block? Do you pull it yourself and side behind it? Do you have an electrician pull the meter can?

How do you deal with the service cable and associated strapping? Do you carefully loosen it, put up the siding, then affix it back? How do you deal with an insulator knob that might be screwed into the wall? Slit your siding around it?

I'm interested generally in all aspects of how sidewallers and remodelers deal with the service equipment when you're siding an existing building.

Thanks!

GregWerner

The service cable itself isn't usually a big deal to take off the clamps, put on your siding, then re-attach the clamps.( I usually use new clamps)

Where the insulator is attached you can sometimes move it to a temp. location until you put up that piece of siding, then move it back. If it is a long run from the pole I wouldn't suggest it though, it can pull you harder than you can pull it.

Meter base sometimes can be j'd around, sometimes it doesn't look so good.

Here I can call utility co. and they will shut down power, than I can pull the meter and base, install block, and then reassemble everything. They will also pull the insulator from the side of the house and hook it on their bucket truck so I can put siding there, then they will replace. They usually will not rush you, but your better off having everything else done so you only have a couple of pieces to put in when they unhook for you. IIRC it cost me $150 last time I called them.

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Greg
www.wernerbuilding.net

dkillianjr

I usually dont call the power company cause they suck to deal with in my area thye would have me waiting around all day .Well usually what I do is pull the meter, remove the box, remove the wire straps, temporily tie off the wire with some rope into a spot above the existing insulator knob then remove the insulator knob. Put a j block behind the meter, run the siding up put the straps back on and screw the the insulator back in through the new sidng. I dont like to side around the meter cause i figure if it has to be replaced in the future they dont have a weird hole in the siding cause ive noticed that most of the newer sockets are larger than the older ones.

Dave

GregWerner

I don't like going around meter bases either but there are some siders here that will.

The only time I call the utlity co is if its a big drop thats going across a main road and I don't want the extra liability. They are usually pretty cool around here. I'll call it in and they come out right before lunch and unhook, then come back right after lunch and re-hook. Not a bad deal when I need them.

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Greg
www.wernerbuilding.net

all vinyl

i do the same Tye the hook off with a peace of cable for the insulator and either get one of the electricians for 50.00 to pull the meter and pan for five and then fill in the panels . or side up the sides and caulk and the top reverse a Panel and install siding vinyl.

ARCS

I do it a couple different ways, if it is a rambler with the conduit coming through the soffit down the wall to the meter I will wrap the conduit from bottom to top with a coil box and J around it. Same if it is underground service coming up to a meter base. If it is one going up to the wall to a head that ties right to over to the overhead line, I will have the power company come and open the meterbase and remove the screws and side behind it. As for the anchor for the cable up on top I usually use a split block. I use seamless steel siding, so a splice is not acceptable, but If I was doing a seamed product I bet I would skip the split block and make a splice around it.

dkillianjr

I never really thought of doin that. Thats a good idea I bet it gives it a nice clean look and may eliminate some seams in the siding depending where its at on the house.

Dave

mdshunk

I wouldn't get too excited about that idea. Technically, it creates a code violation. I can give you the reference, if you're interested.

dkillianjr

Crap, that would look good too. MD, what is the violation?

Dave

ARCS

I would be interested in seeing what the violation is too, my customers just love the box wraps, and I think they are the cleanest look. I also have been doing the same thing with those outside ductless a/c lines. it is not like the box wrap is something that could never again be gotten in to, all that would have to be done is cut it off and make a new over wrap for it, I have done that once when a ground wire was forgotten to be installed and it looked exactally as it was done the first time.

mci2980

you could run j up it and bend a box that clicks in the j. It would be removable and water tight done correctly

house bldr

In the case where the conduit is to tight to side behind you can also slip coil the same color as the siding behind it or rip a piece of siding and use it,then j straight up the sides,gives it somewhat of a finished look behind the conduit that way and will shed water.