Replacing Surface Mounted Pneumatic Light Switch

[rideforever]

Perhaps somebody can advise, it's a Victorian conversion with 2 flats, there is a pneumatic light switch in the hallway that is surface mounted and sticks out uglily into the hallway and we would like to recess it.

But I am wondering why it was surface mounted in the first place, there seems also to be a patch above it as if there had been a previous socket above and then it had been moved down.

That corner where it is on seems to take quite a high structural load and not sure if its too clever cutting out a square to recess it ?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[EFLImpudence]

But I am wondering why it was surface mounted in the first place,

It's a lot less work.

That corner where it is on seems to take quite a high structural load and not sure if its too clever cutting out a square to recess it ?

It'll make no difference.

 

[OwainDIYer]

You could replace it (them, if there are several) with an electronic equivalent such as
http://new.abb.com/low-voltage/prod...ay/timers-switches/standard-push-button-timer
More reliable, more attractive, and doesn't go "clunk" when it switches off.

 

[rideforever]

You could replace it (them, if there are several) with an electronic equivalent such as
http://new.abb.com/low-voltage/prod...ay/timers-switches/standard-push-button-timer
More reliable, more attractive, and doesn't go "clunk" when it switches off.

Yes that would be absolutely fantastic ... the question I have is : am I safe to cut into that wall and recess it behind where it currently is ?

Or could there be a structural problem ? Or could there be a secret reason it was surface mounted aside from laziness ?

 

[EFLImpudence]

the question I have is : am I safe to cut into that wall and recess it behind where it currently is ?

Yes.

Or could there be a structural problem ?

No.

Or could there be a secret reason it was surface mounted aside from laziness ?

No.
Edit - yes, owner didn't want to pay for it.

 

[rideforever]

Okay thanks