Quick question on chopping out....

[david1805]

Hi all,

If I wanted to fit a socket backbox to a wall which was going to be dot and dabbed does the box actually need chopping into the wall at all?

I'm guessing that with 12mm board plus the adhesive you are not far short of the depth of a box so wondered whether I was would be wasting my time chopping the brick work.

Thanks.

 

[plugwash]

talk to the plasterer to find out what depth his finish ends up at.

i've never really understood why people go for dot and dab, it seems like just reducing room dimensions for no reason.

 

[festa]

Like plug says speak to your plasterer but there is no reason why he/she cant make the wall depth suit the backbox.
One thing to keep in mind is as you run your cables up or down to the any backboxes,remember to cable clip them to the wall as slightly loose cables can move out of the safe zones.

 

[davy_owen_88]

If I wanted to fit a socket backbox to a wall which was going to be dot and dabbed does the box actually need chopping into the wall at all?

You'll be wanting to use atleast a 25mm backbox so unless your walls are really out you'll probably need to remove some of the original plaster but that won't take more than a few minutes.

It's better to remove some of the plaster than getting your plasterer to bulk out the wall with adhesive.

i've never really understood why people go for dot and dab, it seems like just reducing room dimensions for no reason.

When your walls look like sh*t its a quick, and relatively cheap method for sorting them out.

 

[david1805]

Thanks for the replies - should've mentioned the walls are already back to bare brick. I'm dotting and dabbing because, as davy says, its a quick easy fix when the walls are so bad.

Might just chop 5mm or so to be sure they're not proud of the finished surface.

 

[sanj.varah]

I'd actually get 35mm boxes if you can. they are much easier to work in than 25mm which I have found to be tight, but it really depends on the socket faceplates.

 

[ColJack]

spend the extra time and energy to fit 35mm back boxes..

it will save you having to bodge them in later should you ( or the dear lady wife ) decide that you want those "flat" sockets...

 

[DESL]

i've never really understood why people go for dot and dab, it seems like just reducing room dimensions for no reason.

Cos it's quicker and cheaper than rendering and it does offer some thermal insulation.

 

[DESL]

One thing to keep in mind is as you run your cables up or down to the any backboxes,remember to cable clip them to the wall as slightly loose cables can move out of the safe zones.

Oh no please run them in oval conduit or capping in case of future replacement of cables.