repairing the hole in the ceiling/replacing the access panel

i've got all the pieces to repair the hole/access panel in the basement bathroom ceiling where the outside hose/water shut off valve hides. i had to have the valve replaced last fall and the plumber had to enlarge the hole to replace the valve. so the previous access panel was trash.

my dad helped me figure out a new way to cover the hole and still allow access twice a year to turn it off and on. he cut a length of wood to have a lip on it. i cut that piece into two pieces and cut a 1/4" plywood piece to size for the sliding panel. i finished painting the boards yesterday. today i installed them.

the hole


tools and parts. you can see the two L-shaped pieces that will allow the panel to slide in and out.


sliding the panel in place (i could not get my camera to focus to save my soul)


new access panel (still couldnt get my camera to focus)



unfortunately the new valve seems to be leaking since opening it up for the summer. i dont think the soldierjoint is perfect enough on the right side of the valve where it connects to pipe and heads outside. guess i got another project now. it *should* have been done right the first time. though admittedly it spent the winter being shut off and being fine. and it was a very difficult place for the plumber to access.