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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Painting, Decorating & Tiling Questions >> Tiling around sockets https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1120822026 Message started by ncarron on Jul 8^th, 2005, 11:06am

Title: Tiling around sockets
Post by ncarron on Jul 8^th, 2005, 11:06am

HI, I am finishing a tiling job but am having trouble with teh sockets. Firdt problem is that when screwing teh cosket in, teh retaining wing is ringed..i.e teh screw is not catching. The box is a msonary box in a plsterboard wall (cowboy electrician did not use dry lining boxes) and cannot be removed. I was thinking of just filling teh whole box with filler or expanable foam and then just screwing the socket into it...Any Suggestions..

Second problem is that the tiles are 2 inch square. The last full tiles are aound 1 inch form the socket so this means teh next ones to be cut need to be about 1 inch wide to allow teh socket to home in. Problem is taht around teh socket box in teh wall is badly damaged and very little left for the tiles to stick to. Again I was thinking about filling in with polyfilla, have the wires poking out and continue like that...anll suggestions welcome....

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by Lurch on Jul 8^th, 2005, 11:14am

I'm sure someone will move this post for you soon, but in the meantime.....

Filling the box full of filler is a bad idea and extremely bad practice. The use of a masonry box, (I assume you mean a metal knockout box), is not rough when used in the circumstances you describe.

What I would probably do in your circumstances, mainly because this would be the easiest way, would be to remove the box and fit a new one so this sorts out your screw problem. Once you've done this, use filler\plaster to fill the wall around the box, (not in it), so you can tile right up to the edge of the box. The finish on this bit of plastering obviously doesn't have to be wonderful as you're tiling over it so as long as there's something there then that'll do.

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by ncarron on Jul 8^th, 2005, 11:29am

There be the problem...the boxes are wedged. nailed and screwed in...to take out would involve damaging a lot of (expensive) tiles and as the plasterboard is badly damaged, the new drylining boxes grip wings would have nothing to grip to......I have also thought about Gluing the sockets onto the tiles. One is a cooker switch so there will be no pull / push force on that one. The other will be rarely used double socket so I may get away with tah as well........damn electrician...

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by Lurch on Jul 8^th, 2005, 11:45am

I'm confused, thought you said you hadn't tiled around the box, so how will removing it damage tiles?

And also, I didn't say use a dryline box, I said replace the metal box that's there like for like then fill the gaps between the edge of it and the existing plasterboard for you to tile onto.

Glueing the sockets on to the tiles is not a good idea for various reasons. Mainly, it's rough, also it's going to mean the if it ever needs to be removed for any reaons it'll be a rip some tiles off job and there's probably some more reasons, but I'd never do it.

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by Chaddy on Jul 8^th, 2005, 5:32pm

Based on your question and theories. think you would be better getting someone who knows what they are doing in to sort this out. :-/I

you don't sound confident in what you are doing.

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by Lurch on Jul 8^th, 2005, 8:12pm

wrote on Jul 8^th, 2005, 5:32pm:

Based on your question and theories. think you would be better getting someone who knows what they are doing in to sort this out.

Yep, that generally sends them away........

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by JerryD on Jul 8^th, 2005, 8:56pm

and get a spell checker ;D

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by Chaddy on Jul 8^th, 2005, 10:29pm

Just trying to help ;D ;D

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by scotspark on Jul 14^th, 2005, 7:01pm

can you not get a 3.5mm tap and rethread the socket box?????????????

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by santacruz on Jul 14^th, 2005, 7:11pm

It would be great to help this guy out and it does sound like the typical situation we all find ourselves in (trades not talking to each other on the jobs).

But I am having a real problem getting to grips with what his problem is - not being rude mate and I suffer from typo's and you may be dyslexic can you be more precise about the problem(s) please. Most of these tiles and sockets things can be sorted out quite easily.

(An electrician)

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by Lurch on Jul 14^th, 2005, 9:40pm

wrote on Jul 14^th, 2005, 7:01pm:

can you not get a 3.5mm tap and rethread the socket box?????????????

Not when the lug on the box is bigger than 3.5mm. My tap doesn't add metal to big holes. ;)

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by JerryD on Jul 14^th, 2005, 10:46pm

Why not try a 4mm tap and a 4mm screw?

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by Lurch on Jul 14^th, 2005, 11:12pm

I don't think the OP really cares what we think as he seems intent on bodgery. Sensible suggestions seem to irate most people and makes them never return to the site, (on all forums, not just this one).

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by JerryD on Jul 15^th, 2005, 10:57pm

I think you're right :-/

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by santacruz on Jul 15^th, 2005, 11:01pm

What the heck are we meant to say then? :-/

I know GripFill the socket in, hand in your bill, get paid and run away? We could rename the web site as Bodgit & Scarper (no that's already been done, where is he by the way?)

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by Chaddy on Jul 15^th, 2005, 11:03pm

It must have been a wind up.......i mean fill the patress with foam ha ha my sides have split ;D

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by sailfishoney on Aug 30^th, 2005, 5:39am

You need to do the right thing. dont you'all have drywall there. if you do put a new section of board there.and make sure use cut out hole for METAL box and do not use any plaster on it tile right to dry wall or green board or durrock. make sure it is the same thickness as the board it will but up to. If there is nothing for tile to stick to then you do not a good foundation and will have problems down the road. you will have to cut enough board out that you will be able to screw to the studs. hope this helps.

Title: Re: Tiling around sockets
Post by CWatters on Aug 30^th, 2005, 4:13pm

How about soldering a 3.5mm nut to the lug. Run a 3.5 mm tap through it after to clean out any solder in the threads.