Outlet installed on incorrect side of stud
#1
07-07-04, 12:08 PM
Outlet installed on incorrect side of stud
I will try to explain the best I can - please bear in mind that I know nothing about electrical terminology. I live in a house that was built four years ago (we purchased it last year) and apparently the builder has very inexperienced people do a lot of the work. One thing that they did was install an electrical outlet in the angle of the dry wall (the back wall of the room as 4 windows, two in the middle and one on each side and the outside two windows are on an angle). It looks to me that the receptacle was installed on the wrong side of the stud since the oulet cover is just jammed intothe angled part of the wall (in other words there is not way for an outlet cover to fit flush since the wall comes out at an angle). I'm very good at following instructions and was wondering if I should try to cut the drywall and run the wires through the other side of the stud and move the receptacle. Does this make sense and do you think it would be possible? Thanks.
#2
07-07-04, 12:32 PM
Member
Well, I'll admit that they goofed this up on the original install. But I'm afraid you might goof it up even more trying to fix it. Is this in a highly visible place? Can you just put a plant in front of it so that it doesn't annoy you so much?
One problem with your approach is that the existing cables may not be long enough to reach the other side of the stud. Then you'd have opened a can of worms.
One problem with your approach is that the existing cables may not be long enough to reach the other side of the stud. Then you'd have opened a can of worms.
#4
07-07-04, 02:21 PM
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John,
would not the elec wiring most likely run horizonally from the last outlet?
If so, couldn't a new box be installed on a different stud, closer to the next outlet. Then the bad install could be removed and completely covered over.
just a thought,
fred
would not the elec wiring most likely run horizonally from the last outlet?
If so, couldn't a new box be installed on a different stud, closer to the next outlet. Then the bad install could be removed and completely covered over.
just a thought,
fred
#5
07-07-04, 02:42 PM
Member
Most outlets have one cable coming from the outlet on the right, and one coming from the outlet on the left. This usually precludes easily moving it either left or right. If it is at the end and only has one cable, then you can move it in the direction that the cable comes from (which you don't know until you open up the wall). Even then, because the cable is stapled, you'll have to open up about a square foot of wall surface.
And of course, you may find that the cable(s) come from below or above. If you start this job, you need to be prepared for it to be bigger than you hope for.
You may even find that it is already on the side of the stud you were hoping to move it to. Then there's the chance the moving it will change the receptacle spacing such that it no longer conforms to code. There's a lot to think about.
And of course, you may find that the cable(s) come from below or above. If you start this job, you need to be prepared for it to be bigger than you hope for.
You may even find that it is already on the side of the stud you were hoping to move it to. Then there's the chance the moving it will change the receptacle spacing such that it no longer conforms to code. There's a lot to think about.
#8
07-07-04, 05:34 PM
I'd also guess that there is no stud where you think it is. The stud is in the corner and you are on the correct side of it. Could you trim the cover plate a bit so it sits flat.
Maybe you could heat the cover plate and bend it. They are cheap if you ruin it no big loss.
Maybe you could heat the cover plate and bend it. They are cheap if you ruin it no big loss.
#9
07-08-04, 05:28 AM
You're probably right. I did look into the wall and the stud is on the right and the corner is on the left. The receotacle plate goes into the wall on the left because of the angle. I may try to have the coverplate cut on the left. The builders had it all filled in with joint compound and I cleaned up the area whe I painted the room. The reason that I always assume that it was the builder's mistake is that there are countless problems that we didn't notice (or the inspector for that matter) before we moved in. For example, they poured the foundation short about 8 inches and filled in the end of the corner of our unit with pressure treated wood. My guess is that everything looked ok into drywall and trim had to go in. We actually have a window in our bathroom where the top piece of trim goes into the ceiling because the window fit fine before the finish work. Anyway, long story sorry, but thanks for all your responses. With our townhouse I could post tons of issues on this site.
