Electric switch covered in plaster, now light doesn't turn off

[max861]

Plasterer has been in this week and after leaving today, he left the light on in the room. I went to the room to turn the light off and saw the switch in this state

Not only are the wires completely covered in plaster, the switch didn't turn the light off (the wiring has been compromised) so I had to remove the bulb instead to turn the light off. Also worth mentioning that he did trip the fuse several times when working near this switch.

He's back tomorrow to finish off the room. Do I point this out and expect him to clean it up before he's finished the job or is this considered normal in plastering and let the electrician sort it out? I am guessing the former but interested to hear from some more experienced on reasonable next steps.

 

[James]

That really needs the attention of an electrician and probably a new switch.

 

[nicebutdim]

Best not to touch the switch while the plaster remains moist.

It may be as simple as a damaged switch, but there could also be damage to insulation. I'd certainly mention it to the plasterer and get an electrician in to check this.

 

[max861]

Thanks both. I would have turned off at the fuse box but then it would turn off most of my downstairs lights, so removing the bulb was the next best thing so that the light's not on all night.

The plasterer is back tomorrow and I am curious to see if he is going to leave the socket like that. If he will, I will flag it to him. He did a parallel socket to this in another room and left that one in intact, so not sure what happened here

 

[nicebutdim]

Thanks both. I would have turned off at the fuse box but then it would turn off most of my downstairs lights, so removing the bulb was the next best thing so that the light's not on all night.

The plasterer is back tomorrow and I am curious to see if he is going to leave the socket like that. If he will, I will flag it to him. He did a parallel socket to this in another room and left that one in intact, so not sure what happened here

Plaster won't harm the cables, although probably not so kind to the switch (cheap to replace). When dry it's easy enough to remove, but I'd be wary incase trowel has cut through insulation of wires - hence recommendation to get electrician involved.

 

[davesparks]

I'd say the plasterer owes you a new switch and 2 wago connectors.

But also that should have been removed and made safe before the plasterer started.

 

[max861]

I'd say the plasterer owes you a new switch and 2 wago connectors.

But also that should have been removed and made safe before the plasterer started.

So ideally yes, all sockets in the room have been removed and protected. The switches however were left on so the plasterer could use the light. What could the electrician have done here to make it safer while still allowing the plasterer to use the light in the room?

 

[DPG]

So ideally yes, all sockets in the room have been removed and protected. The switches however were left on so the plasterer could use the light. What could the electrician have done here to make it safer while still allowing the plasterer to use the light in the room?

One thing would have been to remove the switch and connect the live/switched live together with a wago connector. Then the wires could have been tucked in the box so they were below the surface.

 

[max861]

One thing would have been to remove the switch and connect the live/switched live together with a wago connector. Then the wires could have been tucked in the box so they were below the surface.

So by doing that, the light would be permanently on? The electrician did his first fix about a month ago meaning the light would have been on for the full month and more until he comes back

 

[Risteard]

One thing would have been to remove the switch and connect the live/switched live together with a wago connector. Then the wires could have been tucked in the box so they were below the surface.

But that would be leaving non-sheathed conductors exposed and energised, leaving the Electrician in bother were something to happen.

 

[DPG]

But that would be leaving non-sheathed conductors exposed and energised, leaving the Electrician in bother were something to happen.

True, but distinctly better than how it has been left now!

 

[max861]

True, but distinctly better than how it has been left now!

Is it though?

Having the light permanently wired to be switched on for over a month doesn't seem like the best option to me

 

[DPG]

Is it though?

Having the light permanently wired to be switched on for over a month doesn't seem like the best option to me

Not ideal, but I was meaning it was better from the point of view of the plasterer getting an electric shock or damaging the cables with the trowel (which, let's face it might have happened).

 

[timhoward]

I fit these if its a plasterer I don't know. Double version also available. They can be cleaned and re-used.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Safetyshield-SSR170-Single-Reusable-Sockitz/dp/B07Y7K2VNP

 

[max861]

Not ideal, but I was meaning it was better from the point of view of the plasterer getting an electric shock or damaging the cables with the trowel (which, let's face it might have happened).

I guess another option could be to just cap off the switches the same way as the sockets and have no electrics in the room, but then plasterer would need to supply his own lighting.

I am just curious to know what the industry standard is when plastering a room with light switches. I have other rooms to refurb so getting an idea of best practice on how to prepare sockets would be very helpful for future renovations.

So far I have DPGs suggestion, any others?

 

[DPG]

I guess another option could be to just cap off the switches the same way as the sockets and have no electrics in the room, but then plasterer would need to supply his own lighting.

I am just curious to know what the industry standard is when plastering a room with light switches. I have other rooms to refurb so getting an idea of best practice on how to prepare sockets would be very helpful for future renovations.

So far I have DPGs suggestion, any others?

Tim's is the best I think (has only just been posted). Nice and safe and the switch is still usable. And it's cheap!

 

[max861]

I fit these if its a plasterer I don't know. Double version also available. They can be cleaned and re-used.
View attachment 107198

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Safetyshield-SSR170-Single-Reusable-Sockitz/dp/B07Y7K2VNP

Yes! These would be perfect. (I missed this earlier) Thanks for sharing, I think I have my answer

 

[slartybartfast]

Plasterers are messy sods. Remove the switch. Clean the cables and switch - the plaster will come off super easily. If needed, a new switch costs buttons as do Wago connectors. So a storm in a teacup and not worth falling out with a tradesman over, but to be honest, on balance, this is on you.

For future plastering works, ideally remove sockets & switches and tuck cables into the box; maybe cover them with a small bag or tape. Failing that, cover sockets & switches in a bag.

 

[Markyd]

" Mention it".........I would shove his stupid head into it

 

[slartybartfast]

" Mention it".........I would shove his stupid head into it

...and what would that achieve, other than a demotivated ----ed off trade.

 

[davesparks]

What could the electrician have done here to make it safer while still allowing the plasterer to use the light in the room?

There's not much option for leaving the light working. Temporary lighting is the answer, most plasterers will have lead lights etc that they use.

 

[max861]

There's not much option for leaving the light working. Temporary lighting is the answer, most plasterers will have lead lights etc that they use.

Oh yes there is! Solution has been provided on previous page

 

[davesparks]

Oh yes there is! Solution has been provided on previous page

What solution?

Leaving the light permanently live? Hardly a good option!

Or do you mean the yellow box collar thing? That doesn't help with plaster and water getting in to the switch/socket and presenting a danger.

 

[DPG]

What solution?

Leaving the light permanently live? Hardly a good option!

Or do you mean the yellow box collar thing? That doesn't help with plaster and water getting in to the switch/socket and presenting a danger.

Post #14 Dave. Designed for this exact situation and re-usable.

 

[davesparks]

Post #14 Dave. Designed for this exact situation and re-usable.

Yes but it doesn't stop plaster and water getting in to the switch/socket.

 

[max861]

Yes but it doesn't stop plaster and water getting in to the switch/socket.

Doesn't it? It seems that's exactly what it was designed for

 

[davesparks]

Doesn't it? It seems that's exactly what it was designed for

Of course not, just look at the picture posted earlier in the thread. The whole front of the socket it still there to get plaster and water in.

 

[max861]

Of course not, just look at the picture posted earlier in the thread. The whole front of the socket it still there to get plaster and water in.

It's obviously not bullet proof. What it does do however is prevent the plastering spillage to the socket/switch internals which can be seen in my original post. If a plasterer manages to still get plaster into it then they really shouldn't be plastering.

 

[Markyd]

...and what would that achieve, other than a demotivated ----ed off trade.

Satisfaction

 

[littlespark]

It’s not just plasterers. Decorators sometimes take switch fronts off to paint around.

Joiners…. And specifically kitchen fitters are the worst.

You get a call from the customer…. Move a few sockets in a kitchen, wire in the hob etc… You get there and find sockets just hanging on wires… taped up bare ends with only a switch turned off keeping it from being safe…. And 3 under 10’s running about.



If any work involves removing switches and sockets from the wall, such as plastering… then the power should be isolated. Whether that’s inconvenient for other trades, it shouldn’t matter.

 

[Other_Tucker]

We know them as yellow boxes at work. Every council kitchen we rewire gets these, so the power can be back on and the sockets are live but safe so the kitchen fitter tiles around them.

Same for any 2nd fix that we know is getting plastered, it's another visit to remove them but it leaves a perfect finished wall to screw plates back to

 

[brianmoooore]

Plasterers like a completely unobstructed area to plaster. If the yellow box is used, when the plaster is dry, you will probably find that if you check with a straight edge, the plaster around the switch will be slightly raised.
Ideally, live and neutral to the switch should be disconnected elsewhere, the switch removed, and the wires tucked into the back of the box. The wires and box can be easily cleaned up when the plaster is dry.
On the few occasions that I've had to leave a switch connected, I've placed two small freezer bags over it, with a cable tie holding the necks tight over the wires.

 

[nicebutdim]

It’s not just plasterers. Decorators sometimes take switch fronts off to paint around.

Joiners…. And specifically kitchen fitters are the worst.

You get a call from the customer…. Move a few sockets in a kitchen, wire in the hob etc… You get there and find sockets just hanging on wires… taped up bare ends with only a switch turned off keeping it from being safe…. And 3 under 10’s running about.



If any work involves removing switches and sockets from the wall, such as plastering… then the power should be isolated. Whether that’s inconvenient for other trades, it shouldn’t matter.

I find tilers to be worst of all. Like kitchen fitters they consider themselves electricians, but the extra depth they add means new plate screws - generally 2-3" chopped roughly and forced into place so every lug thread is f****d.

 

[Simon47]

Decorators sometimes take switch fronts off to paint around.

They do ?
In my experience they will tell you, after you've moaned that every ***ing new switch and socket is now painted, that "that's how it's supposed to be done". Seriously, I've been told that - both by decorators and others. I've yet to find anyone who thinks that loosening fittings and painting behind them is the right way to do it.

Once, when there were painters in at a previous employer, I removed a few things (such as the bracket for a fire extinguisher and some picture hooks) from the wall and left them under the edge of his sheets on the floor. When I went back to refit them I found ... they were already re-fitted and painted over !

Plasterers like a completely unobstructed area to plaster. If the yellow box is used, when the plaster is dry, you will probably find that if you check with a straight edge, the plaster around the switch will be slightly raised.

Yeah, nothing beats a blank wall to work on.
But I find that there tends to be a hollow around the boxes then. So bad in our extension (not that the plastering is anything but "interesting") that it's been really hard making good where I've been adding extra boxes (for TV, network, etc) alongside the power sockets. In fact, I was finding it so time consuming (I had to dig out what seemed like miles of cable to change runs/circuit arrangement for the lights) that I got a plasterer in - and I think he did worse than I did (but at least most of it is behind furniture).

Ideally, live and neutral to the switch should be disconnected elsewhere, the switch removed, and the wires tucked into the back of the box. The wires and box can be easily cleaned up when the plaster is dry.

That's what I do, but then I have no problem doing it myself - many homeowners won't be able/confident/safe (perm any combination) to. And with modern LED bulbs, they are generally cool enough to just unplug from the socket to turn them off.

Of course,

 

[DPG]

They do ?
In my experience they will tell you, after you've moaned that every ***ing new switch and socket is now painted, that "that's how it's supposed to be done". Seriously, I've been told that - both by decorators and others. I've yet to find anyone who thinks that loosening fittings and painting behind them is the right way to do it.

Once, when there were painters in at a previous employer, I removed a few things (such as the bracket for a fire extinguisher and some picture hooks) from the wall and left them under the edge of his sheets on the floor. When I went back to refit them I found ... they were already re-fitted and painted over !


Yeah, nothing beats a blank wall to work on.
But I find that there tends to be a hollow around the boxes then. So bad in our extension (not that the plastering is anything but "interesting") that it's been really hard making good where I've been adding extra boxes (for TV, network, etc) alongside the power sockets. In fact, I was finding it so time consuming (I had to dig out what seemed like miles of cable to change runs/circuit arrangement for the lights) that I got a plasterer in - and I think he did worse than I did (but at least most of it is behind furniture).


That's what I do, but then I have no problem doing it myself - many homeowners won't be able/confident/safe (perm any combination) to. And with modern LED bulbs, they are generally cool enough to just unplug from the socket to turn them off.

Of course,

Great Post. 'Interesting plastering ' made me laugh. Good band name that. Mind you I've had a few ales tonight. Busy round Doncaster on a races night. Where was I? What's the earthing system?

 

[nicebutdim]

Painters are a rare breed and all seem to share one common trait. That's all I'm going to post on the subject...

 

[davesparks]

Painters are a rare breed and all seem to share one common trait. That's all I'm going to post on the subject...

If you can p*ss you can paint, if you can urinate you can decorate.

 

[nicebutdim]

If you can p*ss you can paint, if you can urinate you can decorate.

This ties in very well with the trait I referred to.

 

[brianmoooore]

Had a tenant once ask if they could redecorate a couple of rooms. Permission granted.
They did one room in a medium blue and the other in maroon. Walls, skirting board, door frames, doors, switches, sockets, and the outer inch or so of the carpet.

 

[littlespark]

Had a tenant once ask if they could redecorate a couple of rooms. Permission granted.
They did one room in a medium blue and the other in maroon. Walls, skirting board, door frames, doors, switches, sockets, and the outer inch or so of the carpet.

They forgot the radiator and the windows.