Removing CCTV Camera - Covering the Hole

Puntoboy

We are in the process of selling our house and since moving here I have fitted a few cameras. We are taking the cameras with us to the new house but leaving the structured cabling (buried in the walls). The new buyer originally asked me to full all the holes in but after speaking with them again I explain that I could fill them no problem, but as I'm leaving the cables it would make it move difficult to access the cables and they risk damaging them if they redrill the holes.

So I'm thinking of options of cover the holes so they don't look unsightly, but allow access to the cables. My first thought was a 150mm white plastic disc screws over the hole using the camera mounting holes. I could then paint these a similar colour to the brickwork so they don't stand out. I found these White Acrylic Disc 150mm Diameter - Midland Plastics

Any other suggestions?

mushii

I would use small Wiska boxes. Drill the back, bring the cable through, adhesive them in place and curl the Cat5/6 cable inside the Wiska box, put the lid on. Job done. Easy to remove if new cameras are to be installed.

ufo550

What about plastic conduit box (and lid). Then the cable ends could be safely secured.

PVC Conduit Loop In Box - 20mm - White | ElectricalDirect

Puntoboy

Thanks, but I won't want anything that sticks out from the wall too much.

stevelup

I don't think you need to worry about protecting the cables. They've asked you to make them good, so just do the bare minimum. Push them back in the hole and bung a bit of brick coloured sealant in there.

Or if they definitely want to use the cables, tell them not to be so daft and just leave them hanging out!

As for a plastic disc - that will surely be much more intrusive than two or three small filled holes.?

Puntoboy

They said they might use the cables, they might not. If I fill the holes and push the cable far enough inside that re-drilling the holes won't damage them, they won't be able to pull them through again. The cover is just a way of covering the hole but is easily removed if they want to reuse it.

stevelup

They could easily pull out a plug of silicone or something and then fish the cables back out. A big blanking plate will be really visually obtrusive and you'll never get it to blend in with the bricks.

I don't think their possible future re-use of the cables is really your problem to worry about anyway really.

Puntoboy

They wouldn't be able to reach the cables. They are in the void between the brick and the blockwork, so if I push them back and fill the hole they'd have to re-run the whole cable.

It's not really my problem, I'd just not like to leave the holes in a mess.

stevelup

I would do this.

1) Cable tie a little bag over the end of the plug to protect it
2) Fold the cable in half and push the plug back into the wall so you're left with a loop protruding
3) Push the remaining cable in until it's just beyond flush with the wall
4) Squirt a blob of silicone in the hole

From anything other than with your face right next to it, this will barely be visible, and if they do want to use the cables in the future, they will just pull out when they yank on the silicone.

g40steve

I would do a deal & leave them behind, technology moves forward so fast cameras two or three years old are due upgrading.