Fixing a broken light

[babyshanks]

Hey guys, I need some help on a minor problem.

Basically, I need to fix a pull cord switch in my bathroom, I has been pulled off the ceiling. I tried fixing it back with plasterboard fixings but the ceiling just crumbles away, what can I use to fix it back to the ceiling?

I'm sharing with 2 of my mates and even though I've told them not to, they continue to just pull the cord, which is stretching the cables and it looks like they might snap soon, they are very short and I don't think I wont be able to get access up there to through-crimp them, what can I do in this case?

Cheers guys, thank you soo much in advance, need to get this sorted asap!

 

[Penance]

Try to get above and place a bogging above switch, screw in to that sandwiching the ceiling between switch and wood.

 

[RWJ]

It should be attached to a joist!

Is there a joist near... not easy to tell I know.

Switch the lights off a the Consumer unit / fuseboard then stick your finger in the hole and see if you can feel and wood up there (.......oooooo matron)
If there is could you move the pull cord over so screw will bite into the wood??

Can you access the ceiling from above?? or is this another flat?

 

[malcolmsanford]

First off .......................stop pulling a switch which is hanging off.

Most pull switches are wired next to an upstairs joist, so turn your power off and take the switch down. Then make a hole big enough where the cable is to get a finger up, and see if you can feel wood. If you can then fix the switch to this.

If you can't then you will need to do some more exploring. make a hole big enough to see into and find a joist, once you found that and see which way it runs, measure 60cm parallel to it and cut away the plaster board to expose the 2 joists, then cut a piece of wood . bit of 2x2 for a nogging, drill a hole in the middle of the noggin for putting the cables through and fit bewteen the joists where the cables come. Cut a piece of plaster board the size of the hole you made and fit that, make good and refit the switch to the noggin.

 

[babyshanks]

Thanks for the advice, I'm not at home just yet but will have a look as soon as I can. I can't get above the ceiling to get any wood up there unfortunately! Also, it is sandwiched right between the door and the bath, so I can't move it either way otherwise it will be hanging infront of the door or over the bath, plus the cables are very short, they are already tight enough coming through the wall. Any other ideas? Greatly appreciated!

 

[malcolmsanford]

This is now going from a simple re-fix of the switch to perhaps rewiring the LINE/S-LINE cable.

Is the flat rented? if it is time to badger your landlord.

 

[babyshanks]

Yes it is rented, I think we wil have to get on the phone to her. We tried before and she said we should organise and pay for it and she will take it out of the rent, but that's not happening, she has to do all that it's not our responsibilty! Any othe ideas??

 

[malcolmsanford]

Honestly if it was just a matter of minor job of perhaps fitting a noggin and then making good the ceiling then yes do it and charge her, but if your saying now that the cable is short, and it is in a poor position, then you looking at either extending the cable somehow or running a new cable in ................I think that is the time to call it quits.

 

[Octopus]

If your landlord is happy for you to get an electrician in to repair it, then pay the bill and deduct it from the rent, I'd go for that. From what you have said it needs fixing.

Where are you? there are many professionals on here who may just be able to come out and fix it for you.

 

[Des 56]

Get yourself a piece of baton a couple of inches longer than the hole

Make a hole either side of the pull cord position and using screws and a washer fix the baton on to the plasterboard
They only need to be tight enough to stop the wood pushing up

Once the wooden baton is fixed,carefully fix the pull cord to the baton,dont push up hard on these screws, make sure it overlaps the plasterboard

Once you have the squeeze on these screws,tighten them well
Remove screws and washers and fill, or tighten them up more, then fill over them

 

[babyshanks]

Thanks for all the help guys, managed to sort it! I took the fitting out and from the hole slid over a nogging to go above the hole for the switch and managed to fix it to that. Thanks for all the help!

 

[RWJ]

Thanks for all the help guys, managed to sort it! I took the fitting out and from the hole slid over a nogging to go above the hole for the switch and managed to fix it to that. Thanks for all the help!

No worries, Glad you sorted it!