Can't install light switch to wall because nothing to secure it to

[bennie1]

Are you trying to achieve surface mounted or flush mounted?

flush mounted

 

[sparkwright]

You could try to fix it in place with expanding foam, if you can temporarily hold it in place firmly before applying the foam and letting it set.

It may help to remove some of the knockouts on the box first - to give a 'key' for the foam to wrap itself around.

Once you apply the foam, do not be tempted to touch it - it cleans off better when fully set.

 

[bennie1]

You could try to fix it in place with expanding foam, if you can temporarily hold it in place firmly before applying the foam and letting it set.

It may help to remove some of the knockouts on the box first - to give a 'key' for the foam to wrap itself around.

Once you apply the foam, do not be tempted to touch it - it cleans off better when fully set.

Thank you Spark, that's a good idea.

Appreciate the help

 

[sparkwright]

Be sure to get ALL the wires into the box before you start foaming.

 

[bennie1]

yeah definitely.

I tried to 'bridge' a piece of wood and use wood glue to connect it to the laths, but that didn't work.

hopefully this does

 

[sparkwright]

Another way is to try to find a nearby vertical 'stud', notch it, and screw box to that.

Trouble is there's never one there when you need one.

 

[sparkwright]

ALSO, some pva may help to 'kill the dust' on the old plaster and laths before you start, so things can stick.

 

[mattylad]

Turn the electricity supply off to the lighting at your fuse box before trying to adjust this light switch - I can see bare copper in one of those pics.
It may also be better to replace the switch itself while your at it.

Will a plasterboard backbox fit in there?