Fixing Back-boxes in plaster & lath

Hi All,

I'm changing an existing 1-way + 2-way switch into a 2-way + 3-way and have removed the switch and back-box from the wall in the process. The existing back-box was "held" in place on some filler of some sort squished in against a load of plastic bags which were filling the void in a plaster & lath stud wall.

What's the best way to satisfactorily re-fix the back box? I've not seen a dry-wall backbox which can cope with the thickness of the plaster and lath - and anyway I've made a mess of the wall in getting the original back-box out, so don't have a neat hole it could slot into. Ideally I'd like to fix the back box in place first and then deal with making good the surrounding plasterwork.

Thanks,
Adam

As you've gashed the wall already, can you not cut back to the uprights and fit a noggin between them to allow back box to be screwed into place?

Heh. Thanks, that's a fair point - though I'd rather not make even more mess if I can help it!

Adam

Everyone has posted to help you here so please consider posting a follow up of what you did and if poss a a before, during and after photos (we love photos) this will help future people with the same problem

adamr7747 said:

What's the best way to satisfactorily re-fix the back box? I've not seen a dry-wall backbox which can cope with the thickness of the plaster and lath - and anyway I've made a mess of the wall in getting the original back-box out, so don't have a neat hole it could slot into.

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If you've already made a mess of the wall (we've all been there!), why not neaten up the hole in the lath/plaster and repair it with a bit of plasterboard - after which you could use a standard 'dry-wall backbox'. I've done that a few times in similar circumstances.

Kind Regards, John.

martinxxxxxx said:

please consider posting a follow up of what you did

Click to expand...

Not very exciting in the end... found I could cut back a few cm more plaster & lath to reveal a stud to fix to.

Adam