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Cat Flap in Cavity Wall

I've seen a few older threads on this but they all seem to be closed so hope I'm okay adding a new one.

We have a PetSafe microchip cat flap and want to stick it through a cavity wall. We have builders in and they're prepared to do it, but say we need the tunnel. It's a 300mm wall and the cheapest I can find the tunnel pieces are £10 per 5cm so looking at over £60!!

I've seen people posting about using plywood / tiles etc, but i cannot find any pictures anywhere!

Is anyone able to share some pictures?
Thanks

Comments

  • Artytarty
    Artytarty Posts: 2,642 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Anniversary First Post
    You can use anything really, some vinyl tiles would work or even plywood.
    It doesn't need to be plastic or metal.
    Norn Iron Club member 473
  • suki1964
    suki1964 Posts: 14,313 Forumite
    Rampant Recycler Mortgage-free Glee! Photogenic I've helped Parliament
    We just made it out of wood

    Just a cube that fits in snug is all that's needed
  • vaderag
    vaderag Posts: 293 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary
    edited 6 September 2019 at 11:48AM
    And did you guys attached the cat flap to the wood or the cat flap to the wall?
    And do I need to worry about damp?
  • Mistral001
    Mistral001 Posts: 5,364 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture I've been Money Tipped! First Post Name Dropper
    Cavities provide a dual function. As well as providing some heat insulation, they also drain away any moisture that gets through the outer skin of brickwork and prevent that moisture reaching the inner skin of brickwork. Thus you have to assume that the cavity will be damp. Strickly speaking you should use materials that will be resistant to moisture. Also there should be a means to prevent water travelling along the top and bottom of cat flap "tunnel" and across the cavity.
  • vaderag
    vaderag Posts: 293 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary
    Mistral001 wrote: »
    Also there should be a means to prevent water travelling along the top and bottom of cat flap "tunnel" and across the cavity.
    Could you please advise what you mean by this?
    I mean, the 'official' adaptors don't seem to have anything like this?
  • jfdi
    jfdi Posts: 1,031 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary
    We had this done years ago......it’s a square tunnel made out of plywood. The frame for the doorway is fixed to the brickwork. When we’ve replaced the catflap we just got another one the same size, so could use the existing holes with a bit of sealant in!
    No damp. Not neatened on the inside either, as it’s hidden between kitchen units!
    :mad: :j:D:beer::eek::A:p:rotfl::cool::):(:T
  • Mistral001
    Mistral001 Posts: 5,364 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture I've been Money Tipped! First Post Name Dropper
    edited 6 September 2019 at 3:32PM
    vaderag wrote: »
    Could you please advise what you mean by this?
    I mean, the 'official' adaptors don't seem to have anything like this?

    Usually there is small ridge running around the outside of box or tunnel. It just forms a barrier or "drip" to prevent water crossing the cavity. Alternatively a stepped DPC can be put above the box, but it is only practical to install this during the construction of the house.

    The following shows a box for a vent in a cavity wall where you can see two plastic ridges approx. in the centre of the box:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rytons-Cavity-Through-Draught-Ventilator/dp/B00S2OJKRK/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_60_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=S1BVHYKXBZZ0X0C0EF8Z
  • suki1964
    suki1964 Posts: 14,313 Forumite
    Rampant Recycler Mortgage-free Glee! Photogenic I've helped Parliament
    Two cat flaps, one on either side of the wall, you only need the expensive one on the outside, bog standard basic inside

    What you can do is make your cube, then cover it with a bit of DPC before fitting it

    Ours was in for 3 years and we never had a problem with damp
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