Outside electric socket exposed

[Mrxman]

Hi there

I am about to tear down a tiny wooden lean to which is very old and looks like a real bodge job.

The electric socket and light fitting on house walls are both modern but I was wondering what to do with them once lean to has been knocked down as they will be exposed to rain.

Does anyone know if it's possible to buy some kind of cover for the socket/light fitting or are there any other alternatives?

Many thanks

 

[danechip]

I am guessing it was a bodge job with the wiring, probably drilled through from the nearest socket. Follow the wire back as far as you can, then turn off the electric to the house, and just remove the wire. reconnect the remaining wires it was thrown with, and switch on. A real 'job' would have a separate RCD in that CU 'fuse box', just turn it off and test the socket/light doesn't work any more.

 

[johnny2007]

If you want to retain one of them, buy an exterior socket and replace the existing one.
This assuming that the wiring is sound.
For the others you want rid of, follow the advice from danechip.

 

[danechip]

Good point Johnny, OP may need a lawnmower/boombox in the summer.

EDIT: bet your harse the wiring is bad by the old boy that made the lean to back in his day though. Seen Soooo many of them.

 

[johnny2007]

The electric socket and light fitting on house walls are both modern

That's what the op said, so there's hope that the wiring was made more recently (and properly) than the lean to.

 

[danechip]

They may be, but be wired with twin pair speaker wire, that's my issue. A look inside the socket or JB would give a clue.

 

[Mrxman]

I am guessing it was a bodge job with the wiring, probably drilled through from the nearest socket. Follow the wire back as far as you can, then turn off the electric to the house, and just remove the wire. reconnect the remaining wires it was thrown with, and switch on. A real 'job' would have a separate RCD in that CU 'fuse box', just turn it off and test the socket/light doesn't work any more.

Thanks. I have very little knowledge of electricity so was thinking of getting an electrician in but like to have a rough idea what's needed before getting someone in.
There's also a lamp on the wall, could that be changed to an outdoor type fitting or wouldn't that work?

 

[Mrxman]

I am guessing it was a bodge job with the wiring, probably drilled through from the nearest socket. Follow the wire back as far as you can, then turn off the electric to the house, and just remove the wire. reconnect the remaining wires it was thrown with, and switch on. A real 'job' would have a separate RCD in that CU 'fuse box', just turn it off and test the socket/light doesn't work any more.

We had the electrics part rewired a few years ago. They didn't touch the lean to part though. I just tried switching off the RCD on the fuse box which says 'ground floor lights' and it seems the lean to lights are connected to the 'ground floor lights' circuit. Think the previous owner wired it himself as he was an electrician but was lacking a certain attention to detail.

 

[Mrxman]

Btw, is it possible to cover the lean to electrics with something temporarily? I would really love to get rid of the structure asap as it looks rather hideous.

 

[SUNRAY]

Btw, is it possible to cover the lean to electrics with something temporarily? I would really love to get rid of the structure asap as it looks rather hideous.

Why not do the electrics at the same time, or why not do them first?

 

[conny]

You can change the socket outlet to an exterior, waterproof socket and change the light to an exterior light, (which will be waterproof), before you take the lean-to down.

 

[Mrxman]

You can change the socket outlet to an exterior, waterproof socket and change the light to an exterior light, (which will be waterproof), before you take the lean-to down.

Great thanks