Wallpaper behind sockets and light switches

[brightspark11]

I have noticed that professional decorators cut out the wallpaper around switches and sockets so that the edge of the paper can be seen around the fitting. I have always removed the fitting, wallpapered then trimmed the paper to the edge of the back box and replaced the fitting, this way looks much better. Does anyone know if there are any regulations for or against this practice.

 

[snowhead]

In the past decorators used to loosen the socket / switch screws and tuck the paper under.
They wouldn't do it nowadays H & S would require them to have the socket isolated.
Also the same if using emulsion.

 

[Amp David]

No regs lol.

If I were to pay a so called decorator to work in my house and he trimmed the wall paper flush to any socket or switch I'd turf him out. It laziness with them nowadays.

Same when people have a plasterer round to over skim some walls, they never drop the front of the sockets or switches.

Had this the other week, plaster had skimmed the kitchen and there were 2 switches and a socket still screwed back. Actually mentioned it to him and came out with the old 'it doesn't say electrician on my van so I don't loosen them off'.

So whilst he stood and watched I loosened them off, taking a nice patch of skim off from around the edges of said socket and switches. I turned and said back to him 'It doesn't say plasterer on the side of my van, so you'd best get it patched up!'

You should of seen his face, priceless!

 

[telectrix]

plasteres and decoratorsa re bad enough, but when tilers tile a socket/switch in, that is the pitts!

 

[Top Cat]

plasteres and decoratorsa re bad enough, but when tilers tile a socket/switch in, that is the pitts!

Especially if it's the thin flat plate type. The number of times i have told a tiler "make sure no part of your tile covers the metal box".
When i come back for 2nd fix, can't get socket to fit because of tiles hanging over edge of metal box!

 

[telectrix]

i was thinking more of tilers concreting the faceplate in by tiling round it, rather than lifting it off to tile behind. the no. of times i've had to break tiles to fix a faULT OR REPLACE A SOCKET ... JEEZ.

 

[Amp David]

Especially if it's the thin flat plate type. The number of times i have told a tiler "make sure no part of your tile covers the metal box".
When i come back for 2nd fix, can't get socket to fit because of tiles hanging over edge of metal box!

Last time this happened it was out with the grinder and diamond blade. The joiner went mad as the newly fitted kitchen was a little dusty after i'd finished.

Did give him the option to either get the tiler back to sort, he could sort it or i'd sort it, which i did. Think he thought i was going to be faffing around with the small tile saw he gave me, yeah right!

 

[Farmelectrics]

Council plasteres are the worst asked this plastere to do are chasers after a rewire we done what a mess he as good as plastered over the sockets

 

[Mr Magoo]

After the problems i have had with plasterers in the past i have now come to the conclusion after much deliberation they are all brain dead.

 

[joe j]

Saw something in PE mag a while ago, think it was called 'youzie box' or something. It was an insert to put in boxes to stop plasterers 'hiding' them. Doubt they worked coz the plas'ers prob remove them so they have a 'clean' wall.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Not all bad. One cleaned out all boxes for
me a month ago.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Saw something in PE mag a while ago, think it was called 'youzie box' or something. It was an insert to put in boxes to stop plasterers 'hiding' them. Doubt they worked coz the plas'ers prob remove them so they have a 'clean' wall.

The small amount of additional time spent at first fix dressing the cables and fitting the Yoozyboxes, is repaid ten-fold at the second fix, no more digging plaster out of the back boxes or cursing the plaster because he's sliced the insulation of the cables with his trowel. My plasteres love them because it's quicker for them to work to an edge, without the possibility of snagging cable or filling back boxes.


Yoozybox by HLH Enterprises - Domestic Elecrical Problems Solved

 

[Tonkatoy27]

I use a Dremel with a griding tip for tiles overhangingmetal boxes. Does the job nicely

 

[Amp David]

Not all bad. One cleaned out all boxes for
me a month ago.

You're quire right. One lad I will always and only ever use when its me getting the plasterer in always cleans out every box. But that must be why hes charges a little more than the numpty that doesn't

 

[Amp David]

I use a Dremel with a grinding tip for tiles overhanging metal boxes. Does the job nicely

Thing with that is it would of proven the point quite as good as a 4 inch grinder lol