switch plate out too far on new construction
#1
Member
Thread Starter
switch plate out too far on new construction
bathroom was gutted for this project. just noticed the switch plate is not against the wall. dont they make boxes that may be a bit less deep? contractor is done except one more visit for touchups etc so that will be my last chance to make a case. or did he install it wrong?
#3
If the box is not flush or slightly recessed back from the drywall surface then the box was installed incorrectly. It looks flush to me in the picture, but I am not there.
Make sure there is no drywall compound that is pushing the devices out from the wall.
Make sure there is no drywall compound that is pushing the devices out from the wall.
#4
Member
Thread Starter
i guess its not recessed then. how hard to fix it. ill mention it when he comes back because it is annoying to me and i think it should be flush
#6
The box is proud on the right side. Not east to fix now.
Removing the tabs from the devices may help get extra room for the plate.
A box support may also help to pull the box in.
Removing the tabs from the devices may help get extra room for the plate.
A box support may also help to pull the box in.
#7
Group Moderator
I hate to say it but shooting for perfection may cause more trouble than it's worth. Yes, the gap doesn't look good. You can try playing with shimming the outlets or bend their mounting tabs to get them in the same plane so tension isn't flexing the cover out. You can also recess the cover a bit by bending the switch mounting tabs but it's fussy work and there is only a small bit to work with. Other than that a proper fix is carefully reinstalling the outlet box... which is may mess up some sheetrock and end up with a worse job overall.
Tolyn Ironhand
voted this post useful.
#9
Member
Luckydriver: You can try this website.
Deep Switch Plate Cover, Thick Outlet Wall Plates (kyleswitchplates.com)
They have extra deep face plates for boxes that stick out from the wall.
Although the box was not set properly when installed it may be easier and less messy just to get a deeper face plate to cover the mistake. The mistake is not a code violation from what I can tell.
CircuitBreaker is correct. From what we can see the ground screws are sticking out which means there is no ground wire connected to the switches. Since this box is plastic there must be a ground wire going to each switch. If the box was metal and the box was grounded and they used self grounding switches then it would be ok not to have the ground wires going to each switch.
Deep Switch Plate Cover, Thick Outlet Wall Plates (kyleswitchplates.com)
They have extra deep face plates for boxes that stick out from the wall.
Although the box was not set properly when installed it may be easier and less messy just to get a deeper face plate to cover the mistake. The mistake is not a code violation from what I can tell.
CircuitBreaker is correct. From what we can see the ground screws are sticking out which means there is no ground wire connected to the switches. Since this box is plastic there must be a ground wire going to each switch. If the box was metal and the box was grounded and they used self grounding switches then it would be ok not to have the ground wires going to each switch.
#10
Hi, looks like the conductors were back stabbed instead of using the terminal screws, not a code violation but not considered a good practice, I suspect any other newly installed devices are the same way, also I like the idea of trimming the edges of the box with an oscillating tool.
Geo🇺🇸
Geo🇺🇸
#12
Member
Taking out the #6 switch screws out and replacing them with flat head screws, which are less proud, MAY solve the problem.
#14
Member
Caulking device plates might work for some. Be aware though someone take the plate off later and it tears the drywall.