Said It Here

How to cover exposed AC and utility lines on a wall

Exposed utility and AC lines running across walls or through rooms can be difficult to conceal when building a standard bulkhead or soffit isn't an option. Finding a code-safe way to cover these gaps and jagged drywall stops people from being able to cleanly finish spaces like laundry corners, garages, and bathrooms.

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

  1. 1
    Building a custom soffit or bulkhead
  2. 2
    Using oversized cable moulding
  3. 3
    Wrapping it to look like a tree branch with fake leaves
  4. 4
    Framing it in with rustic wood or drywall
  5. 5
    Hiring someone to redo the installation
  6. 6
    Using a modern privacy screen or room divider
  7. 7
    Stacking the washer and dryer and painting the area

In their words

Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.

“My mom got a AC installed and these guys went right through the bathroom with the lines. Looking for a way to cover this but a bulkhead seems tough either way.”source ↗

seanynaast · r/HomeImprovement · 38 upvotes

“I’m looking to clean up and finish the laundry corner in my attached garage here in San Diego, California, but I’ve hit a bit of an HVAC layout and safety puzzle.”source ↗

“I want to know the code-safe way to cover the exposed yellow insulation and jagged drywall above the furnace.”source ↗

“I want to know how to cover or screen off the 6-inch gap to block the view of the furnace.”source ↗

Hopefull_soul · r/hvacadvice · 5 upvotes

“When I asked my mom why they ran it directly through the room she said he drilled through the exterior of the house at the wrong spot apparently.”source ↗

seanynaast · r/HomeImprovement · 1 upvotes

Where this came up

r/HomeImprovementr/hvacadvicebuilding codeshome improvementhvacinterior designrepairssafety

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