How to patch over plumbing cavity in brick kitchen wall?

[curiousgeorge]

After renovating this ground floor unit kitchen, I was left with this large hole in the brick wall where the plumbing runs into the ceiling (and connects to the upstairs neighbours plumbing).

I am looking for the best way to cover this and blend it in with the existing wall (I wont need to access this plumbing at all), and then tile the lower area behind the sink.
What would be the best way to patch this up? 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @curiousgeorge. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about patching a hole.

My first thoughts would be the simplest solution is to install Villaboard over the whole portion of the wall. That eliminates the need to blend in the filled section and gives you a perfectly flat board to tile over. Turns a job that could take a couple of days into one that could be done in a couple of hours.

You could fill the gap with cement, but it is very wide and deep, so you'd likely be best to fill the cavity first with timber and install sheeting just below the surface of the wall. You could then fill in that. 

How close is the plumbing pipe coming to the edge of the benchtop? Is there going to be enough depth to add cement filler there? It needs to be at least 5mm thick, and the pipe almost looks like it's touching the benchtop.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the electrical cabling is just hanging in there. It's been the general consensus of our members that cabling should be run in ducting, especially if you are going to be filling over it as it needs protection from damage. So, you might like to consult an electrician to determine if it meets code.

Let me tag @Nailbag for his thoughts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[Nailbag]

Hi @curiousgeorge 

I would definitely go with @MitchellMc first thought in covering the entire wall section with cement sheet underlay that you would then apply your preferred splashback to. 

As far as the electrical cable is concerned, my understanding that as it's internal and not near any heat source etc that its fine to leave as is. This would be just as if it was run within a timber framework and is a scenario I have seen regularly, but I'm in Vic. So having said that, I would take @MitchellMc advice and check with a qualified electrician that this complies with your local electrical code.

Regards Nailbag