Cables too short

[Scrappy042]

Hi, my first post here.

We have a single socket that doesn't work. I tried to pull it out to take a look and it only comes out around 5-6mm. The cables behind seem to be far too short, so short I'm struggling to see how it was wired up to begin with.

From the little I can see behind it, it's old wiring of black, red and an earth. Cables seem to be attached to back of switch.

How can I get the socket out of the wall to get a better look and/or replace it please? Is there an electricians trick to get around this problem?

Any help would be awesome. Thanks in advance.

 

[OwainDIYer]

The terminal screws are usually accessible from the sides of the socket, i.e. the screwdriver is held parallel to the wall and slid in behind the socket.

 

[Scrappy042]

Thanks for the reply. Good to know but I can barely get enough room to get a screwdriver in.
And if I could, the cables then obviously too short to work with on a new socket.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Be prepared to extend the short cables using terminal block (aka choc block) etc. - once you have the socket off the wall.