How do I tile around switches and sockets? - How to tile properly around sockets

[Chris Y]

Hi
How do you get a better finish with the below switch please

 

[acaciaguy]

The tiles go behind the face plate. The face plate is not embedded in them.

 

[Boggs]

Do it the same as the switch on the right...

 

[Reply]

Problem is it’s not all one unit face plate comes off but switches are fixed

 

[widler]

They are actually a pain in the backside , your cut has to perfect as the back plate is so loose , painful but can be done

 

[Tony_C]

The screws that hold that facing on are generally pretty small, they are only around 6mm long, I've tried sourcing longer ones as most new builds have this but failed twice after they were delivered and didn't fitso gave up. When i've done it i've had to loosen off the socket that is behind that and actually has the switches mounted into the actual socket backbox to bring it all forward and screw the facing on with a bit of fiddling around. It is a pain but can be done as widler said, i done two last week and didn't leave it like that

 

[Andy Allen]

I've done loads of them, and they should be left like this...

Take the face plate off, loosen the back socket, cut your tile leaving small tabs to go in between the screws to keep the back plate flush with the tile then screw the face plate back on..

 

[Dumbo]

As above

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Moral of the story - get a professional!

 

[Andy Allen]

Tiled one today, and took more pictures of how it should be done....

 

[Sean Kelly]

Be careful, these sockets have so many wires in such a small enclosed space. As you can see from the above pic the brown wire was in the path of the screw. I did not realize I had just nicked the brown cable until I turned on the power to the sockets from the main fuse board. BANG !!!!!

Luckily there was a foreman onsite and he said he would get an electrician to look at it.

Always turn off the power to the sockets when working around them.

 

[Qwerty]

 

[Dan]

That's terrible wiring in the first place. I don't think the earthing should be left unsheathed. The sparks on the sparks forum would be sparking at that.

 

[smokie899]

The screws that hold that facing on are generally pretty small, they are only around 6mm long, I've tried sourcing longer ones as most new builds have this but failed twice after they were delivered and didn't fitso gave up. When i've done it i've had to loosen off the socket that is behind that and actually has the switches mounted into the actual socket backbox to bring it all forward and screw the facing on with a bit of fiddling around. It is a pain but can be done as widler said, i done two last week and didn't leave it like that View attachment 107546

I get my socket screws of Amazon 40, 50, 60 and 75mm. About £3 for 20.

 

[Tony_C]

I get my socket screws of Amazon 40, 50, 60 and 75mm. About £3 for 20.

It's different screws i'm on about, smaller ones for those switch plates to screw onto the mounting box behind, they are around 2.5mm instead of the usual 3.5mm.

Get yourself to Toolstation and get your screws way cheaper than amazon

100 for a fiver