Nail through a cable

[pushrod]

What would you do if you were called to a house where the above has happened?

Would you chop the affected bit of cable out and crimp in a new bit of cable, tape them up (or protect with a bit of channeling?) and plaster over the top or would you have to take out a whole section between sockets, JBs, switches etc. Or something else? Do people generally make good plaster work themselves or just do a rough job and tell householder they will have to take care of the final finish?

Is anything needed in this case certification-wise?

Just trying to imagine common scenarios for the future and if a bit of plastering is another skill i need.
cheers.

 

[marksparky]

hi
i would probably lift a pocket in the floorbard above pull in a new cable and use maintance free jb. as for certifying not too sure cos ur not installing any new equipment.

 

[pushrod]

Hi Mark, I was thinking more of someone putting a picture on the wall rather than the floorboard thing.

 

[marksparky]

ah right, well id prob cut into the affected area and crimp in new cable and protect with a piece of channel as u say, as for making good the plaster work i usually wouldnt and just advise the customer that the repair will make a mess and they will need to get someone in to fix plaster before i stared.

 

[pushrod]

Cheers

 

[Darkwood]

you'd be wise learning how to plaster with a good finish as this gets you recommendations, doing top electrical repair with dodgy plastering or even passing the buck will just make the whole job look shabby to the customer, if you cant do it get a pro to follow your work to plaster-up. Also if you decide in a crimp repair make sure its a good crimping tool and not a cheap one and dont rely on taping it up, instead use some recognised amalgating tape or heat shrink sleeving to get moisture tight seal.

 

[patricklondon]

i'd be much more confident in replacing that section of the circuit myself then you know no moisture will get in at all. then its a non notifiable job eitherway

 

[Darkwood]

i'd be much more confident in replacing that section of the circuit myself then you know no moisture will get in at all. then its a non notifiable job eitherway

Totally agree but my post was meant as last resort not always replaceble without major disruption, its just for those occasions when all other avenues have been exausted.

 

[Paul P]

One other option for plasered in calbes if it a ring main, is to disconect the effected leg and fit a JB to make a spur out of the good leg to the socket etc.

 

[Guest123]

Another option seeing as you are going to be cutting the wall out anyway, is to fit a flush metal box and slimline blank plate making all connections in the box. No issues with future access then.

 

[pushrod]

and dont rely on taping it up, instead use some recognised amalgating tape or heat shrink sleeving to get moisture tight seal.

Hi Darkwood, waterproof crimps like these?
Adhesive Lined Heat Shrink Butt Connector - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys
Only time i've used heat shrink is when sealing home made wine and then i've used steam from the kettle would you need an electric hot air gun for these or would careful use with a gas burning hot air gun do


Or ordinary crimps and tape like this
NN Self Amalgamating Rubber Tape 19mm x 10m - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

or is this better? mind it seems quite pricey
No Nonsense Self Fusing Silicone Tape Black - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys
cheers

 

[mechelec]

Another option seeing as you are going to be cutting the wall out anyway, is to fit a flush metal box and slimline blank plate making all connections in the box. No issues with future access then.

and then hang a picture over it

 

[Darkwood]

Hi Darkwood, waterproof crimps like these?
Adhesive Lined Heat Shrink Butt Connector - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys
Only time i've used heat shrink is when sealing home made wine and then i've used steam from the kettle would you need an electric hot air gun for these or would careful use with a gas burning hot air gun do


Or ordinary crimps and tape like this
NN Self Amalgamating Rubber Tape 19mm x 10m - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

or is this better? mind it seems quite pricey
No Nonsense Self Fusing Silicone Tape Black - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys
cheers

All above sound good but do this method as a last option as suggested in other posts replacing the leg is the prefered method, i use a heat gun to shrink the sleeves cant comment about using other things.

 

[cbw]

If your going to hang a picture over it dont bother with the box,plate or picture hook......Just a bit of masking tape, bend the cables up in a hook shape and bobs your unkle!

CBW

 

[pushrod]

If your going to hang a picture over it dont bother with the box,plate or picture hook......Just a bit of masking tape, bend the cables up in a hook shape and bobs your unkle!

CBW

Don't think it would do a lot for repeat business mind