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#183969 01/29/09 04:12 AM
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Quote
My good Friend Steve Ransome was called to a job to fix some wiring. This is what he found. I guess a D-I-Y handyman thought that you can install tile backsplash right over your electrical boxes. Imagine the homeowners surprise when Steve had to tell them that the tile has to be removed.

The handyman really did a nice job cutting out the tile for the switches and receptacle. Don't you think?

Harold

[Linked Image from electrical-photos.com]

[Linked Image from electrical-photos.com]

[Linked Image from electrical-photos.com]

[Linked Image from electrical-photos.com]


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Admin #183975 01/29/09 11:11 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
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Cute!
That tile guy, or someone spent a lot of effort & time, shame it has to be destroyed.

edit:
Would have been easier to use block devices! LOL

Last edited by HotLine1; 01/29/09 11:12 AM.

John
Joined: May 2005
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G
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It never fails to amaze me how much work some people will do to do something the wrong way.
shocked


Ghost307
Joined: Jan 2005
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I defy anyone, using scissors and a sheet of cardboard, to do a neater job!

Still, the NEC requires cover plates to be listed, and we need access to those boxes.

The placement is such that .... probably ... the tiles can be removed intact. Then, if you're lucky, the boxes will be able to flex forward, and have the right mud ring, to accomodate the wall. Trimming the tile and covering the mud ring with the proper cover plates ought not be nearly as difficult as what was done here.

Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 329
I
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It is definately amazing, the lengths people go, to do something wrong. The work is beautiful though.

IanR #183988 01/29/09 05:02 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 402
J
Member
If you get them off in one piece mark the holes for owner to drill and put back on with screws.

jdevlin #183992 01/29/09 08:45 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 165
Member
Originally Posted by jdevlin
If you get them off in one piece mark the holes for owner to drill and put back on with screws.

If you can't get them off in one piece, have the same person cut new ones and include mounting-screw holes. This person is a true tile-fitting artist; he just needs to be kept away from electical work. laugh

Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 40
J
Member
I wonder how they cut the almost perfect holes for the receptacles? More specifically- what tool could they have used?

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 939
F
Member
Originally Posted by junkcollector
I wonder how they cut the almost perfect holes for the receptacles? More specifically- what tool could they have used?


For 100 Euro.,

What is the Rotozip?

Merci,Marc


Pas de problme,il marche n'est-ce pas?"(No problem, it works doesn't it?)

Admin #184001 01/30/09 01:27 AM
Joined: Nov 2002
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W
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Maybe this method would have been better:
[Linked Image from pw2.netcom.com]
without the cover:
[Linked Image from pw2.netcom.com]
sample of the cover used:
[Linked Image from pw2.netcom.com]

wa2ise #184004 01/30/09 03:16 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 404
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Wouldn't a decorative tile cover been easier?

wa2ise #184012 01/30/09 11:15 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
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OK, how about using one of the high end, color devices that 'match' the green tiles?



John
wa2ise #184023 01/30/09 06:13 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 152
A
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Its wonderful example of craftsmanship, its not often you see a hack done so beautifully.

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,438
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I think flat decora switches & recepts would've looked cleaner than the toggles laugh laugh

PS these devices look new, is there a GFI in the mix someplace?

And agree'd, premium craftsmanship, just that darn accessibility code thingy...

wa2ise #184311 02/06/09 10:23 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 174
K
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It's hard enough to get someone to cut that neatly around boxes.

Last edited by kale; 02/06/09 10:24 PM.
wa2ise #187168 06/16/09 02:36 AM
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L
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its hammer time lol smile


Luke McCoy The NEC Crazy Boy
wa2ise #190568 11/24/09 07:03 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
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Luc Offline
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Wow, it would look better with GFCI/Decora devices Haha. But seriously, it must be impossible to access those boxes.

wa2ise #190593 11/25/09 06:29 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
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You've got to appreciate the workmanship.

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 354
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pdh Offline
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Would be nice if some plate manufacturer would make custom sizes (larger than the minimum covering needed) and custom colors (send in a color sample to match). With some alignment work (devices centered in the tile positions) you could have plates that match the tiles, but meet the requirement for being removable to access the devices. Having the plates listed might be harder to do.

pdh #190614 11/27/09 03:11 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 165
Member
Originally Posted by pdh
Would be nice if some plate manufacturer would make custom sizes (larger than the minimum covering needed) and custom colors (send in a color sample to match). With some alignment work (devices centered in the tile positions) you could have plates that match the tiles, but meet the requirement for being removable to access the devices. Having the plates listed might be harder to do.

Many wallplates are available in midway and oversize sizes. As far as custom colors go, that would be insanely expensive in a molded wallplate, and merely prohibitively expensive in a painted metal plate. frown

Joined: Apr 2002
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Good old 'Mulberry Metals' used to punch out all kinds of oddball plates, alas all were metal from the local plant. Plastic ones came from another facility. Heck, I remember a sixteen (16) gang block plate, mid-sized about 25+ years back for a really wacky client. BTW, the interior decorator had the painter do a faux finish on it!



John
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 165
Member
Originally Posted by HotLine1
...BTW, the interior decorator had the painter do a faux finish on it!


Good point, I didn't think of that! smile

Admin #190897 12/10/09 03:05 AM
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Wonder how many tiles he broke before he actually got it done right...


Luke McCoy The NEC Crazy Boy
wa2ise #191351 12/24/09 11:26 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
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Just when you think you've seen everything there's something that just has to change that.

Last edited by packrat56; 12/24/09 11:29 PM.

I have a sense of adventure, I just keep it leashed with common sense.
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