[Dynamit0711]

Hi everybody! This is my first post.

We purchased out first house recently and we had a few issues with interior French drain. Out basement was finished with tile in the floor. Tile had to be cut off and sheetrock cut about 2 feet of the ground. It was super plugged up with iron and even clearing up the pipes would not help. We had to dig it out and install a new system with a 4 inch pipe. Anyways after installation we realised that company that did the job put 2 cleanouts in the floor too close to sheetrock. Now we cannot finish the walls because clean-outs are about an inch into the walls. Any ideas on what can we do to finish it up and make it look as nice as possible and still have access to them? We can't find a matching tile since its Italian and discontinued so similar tile will throw it off as it is.*After we put the rest of the tiles down it will stick out only half an inch of the floor but it will need more room to unscrew and come out. Also, base molding will be installed on the bottom so we don't know how to make it work. We don't want foundation block to be visible and cold air to come thru the wall since it's our playroom for the kids. Any ideas please share. Maybe you have seen similar problem in somebody else's house. I will include some photos to show exactly how its installed. Putting some type of furniture on top of it to hide it is not a solution.

Thanks

 

[LS-6]

The only economical solution would be to leave it notched out enough to remove the plug, or install an access panel, a stained piece of wood ect that looks nice.

 

[Dynamit0711]

The only economical solution would be to leave it notched out enough to remove the plug, or install an access panel, a stained piece of wood ect that looks nice.

Access panel cannot go inside between 2x4 and go on top of existing ones it will have no clearance on the bottom. Also, I dont want to have a break in a baseboard in the middle of the room because it wont look good

 

[House Designer]

Add the missing 2x4 bottom plate (notched for cleanout). Add the missing piece of drywall (with cutout for cleanout) and the cutout can be covered with a piece of removable baseboard segment. Use 30 degree scarf joints on both sides of the removeable baseboard segment, and attach with small brass flathead screws. If done neatly, the mod will not be very visible at all. No access panel is required, just an access baseboard segment.

 

[Dynamit0711]

Hmm, that sounds doable, but kind of time consuming. Any other ways?

 

[udraft]

Yes, I see where you're kind of stuck. Too much work to put those cleanouts where they belong. Maybe a plug type cap instead of the thread in. Possible to get it flush or below floor. Shave off some plastic if necessary.

 

[mathmonger]

Honestly, most people have lower standards for basements. I see stuff like that all the time and nobody really cares. Give it a month and you probably won't care either. But how about this:

Cut the thing flush to the concrete. You don't need that stupid cover. Tile right over the top of it. But don't use mortar for that section. Put a tile over it and seal it with some plumber's putty so it is removable. That IS your cover. I don't think doing the perimeter in a different tile necessarily even looks bad. Run it parallel to the wall and do a contrasting color so it looks intentional. I don't know if the drywall will be a problem. I think you can drywall and install trim as normal and you'll still have room to get in there.

If necessary, maybe do scarf joints in the baseboard in opposite directions so a piece of trim can drop down from the top and lock in there. You won't even need the screws.
Remove the bottom 2 inches of drywall. It will normally be covered by the base anyway. Then you'll definitely have room to get in there and snake/flush that out.

 

[Nealtw]

Build them out like posts and make the bottom section easily removed

 

[12penny]

I'm with Neil... sort of. A small floor to ceiling bump out with a plastic access panel. Drywall, finish, paint, trim, done. I'm more concerned about the floor. Frankly, I think I'd add a half wall and cap it rather than use a different tile.

Blake