I’ve been DIYing for 30 years now, and typically I’m astounded at how a lot I nonetheless don’t know. A few of these issues that I’m nonetheless studying appear so primary! For instance, yesterday I lastly realized easy methods to lengthen an outlet for tile or wainscoting utilizing the most secure, best, and quickest manner I’ve ever finished it.
So in case you’ve ever finished tile or wainscoting, you recognize what I imply. You get your tile or wainscoting finished, and your electrical outlet is about again anyplace from 1/4-inch to three/4-inch as a result of that’s the place the unique field is. Then you need to discover a method to lengthen the outlet in order that it sits in opposition to the brand new tile or wainscoting.
Up to now, I’ve at all times used these caterpillar spacer shims, that are small plastic items that snap collectively like Legos and wrap across the screws that maintain {the electrical} outlet within the field.
I can’t stand these issues. I can by no means get them to remain in place whereas screwing the outlet again on, and it takes me a number of makes an attempt to get them to remain. They usually simply appear flimsy. Plus, they’ll actually solely be used to increase an outlet to date — perhaps 1/4-inch or slightly bit extra. But when I wanted the outlet introduced out greater than 1/4-inch, I wouldn’t actually need to use these. And the ultimate situation with these is that in case you do should carry the outlet out greater than 1/4-inch or so, then you might have the screws on both facet of the outlet (the screws which can be truly conducting electrical energy) uncovered to constructing materials quite than being safely tucked away inside {an electrical} field.
However I by no means knew I had different choices till this week. This week, after 30 years of DIYing, I found electrical field extenders! I imply…WHAT?! How on this planet have I gone this lengthy with out realizing about these? What number of tile backsplashes have I put in? What number of partitions have I lined with wainscoting? How did I not know these items existed?!
And they’re so unbelievably straightforward to make use of. No extra fumbling with tiny, flimsy Lego-like spacers. These field extenders are the one method to go!
The rationale I wanted one to start with is as a result of on one wall of the lavatory, the outlet field is true up in opposition to one of many wooden items of the wainscoting, and that’s with out the within trim (base cap) put in but. I hate the look of trim simply dead-ending into an outlet, so I made a decision so as to add trim across the outlet and convey the outlet out to the entrance of the trim. (I turned off the ability to this room earlier than beginning.)
So I received the trim items hooked up across the outlet, after which used a liberal quantity of wooden filler, as is my M.O. ? Whereas I used to be ready for that to dry, I screwed the outlet again into place in order that I might present you the issue (and hazard) that arises while you don’t use a field extender, or while you use the little caterpillar spacers. See the place the screws are on the perimeters of the outlet? These screws conduct electrical energy, and so they’re proper there subsequent to constructing materials. That may very well be a possible hazard.
So I unscrewed the outlet and sanded my wooden filler clean as soon as it was dry…
After which I used {an electrical} field extender, which appears to be like like this…
It has sides, however no again…
That is the bundle for the one I used…
I like this type as a result of it’s utterly variable, which means that it may possibly lengthen the field anyplace from 1/4-inch to 1.5 inches, and anyplace in between. There may be this different type of field extender, however what I don’t like about these is that they arrive in particular sizes, typically 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch. But when the area in your wall isn’t precisely a kind of measurements, then you definately run into different points.
To make use of this extender, I merely put the outlet by means of the again of the extender…
After which used the extra-long screws that got here with it, and put these screws by means of the outlet, by means of the field extender, and into the holes within the unique electrical field. And now these electricity-conducting screws on the perimeters of the outlet are as soon as once more safely inside a field and never uncovered to constructing materials.
And the outlet cowl suits completely…
These are my favourite outlet covers. I like how smooth they appear, and so they’re additionally paintable in order that they’ll mix proper into the wall.
I take advantage of them fairly often, however I particularly use them on areas the place I don’t desire a obtrusive white rectangle calling consideration to itself, like on the top of my kitchen peninsula. See it there on the top?
They maintain paint very properly. I painted that one after I painted the cupboards in April 2017, and I’ve by no means needed to do any paint retouching on it.
So on white partitions, cupboards, or trim, I don’t discover them completely needed. However on partitions, cupboard, or trim which can be any shade apart from white, the full-cover, paintable outlet covers are my normal go-to covers. I couldn’t think about having to take a look at a obtrusive white outlet on the top of my teal kitchen peninsula.
Anyway, I’m 30 years into DIYing, and I’ve finished my fair proportion of reworking in these years. And but, I’m nonetheless studying on a regular basis, and typically I’m nonetheless studying the fundamentals.
Addicted 2 Adorning is the place I share my DIY and adorning journey as I rework and enhance the 1948 fixer higher that my husband, Matt, and I purchased in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do bodily work, so I do nearly all of the work on the home on my own. You’ll be able to study extra about me right here.
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