Silicone and electrics

[atprice]

My decorator has used silicone to fill holes under new sockets I've had put in. Is this safe?

 

[bernardgreen]

There are many types of sealant / filler that are called silicone. Some are not going to have an adverse effect of electrical fittings but some produce acetic acid as they cure and that can start corrosion of exposed copper in the terminals of sockets. Unless there is a lot of sealant and a strong smell of vinegar there probably is noting to worry about electrically. But decor wise why did he use sealant and what happens it is falls out

 

[atprice]

I dont know why he used sealant. He said he would sort it and assumed he would use a filler but I only realised he'd used sealant when I checked it because it was bumpy. Would the acid have an effect even after its dry?

 

[Taylortwocities]

It wont have any effect.

But, quite honestly, using filler like that is never going to give a good finish and (IMO) he is taking a lazy shortcut. Please tell me that he hasnt just filled around the sockets without unscrewing them? If he has you will never be able to take those sockets off the wall without having to re-decorate each time.

A PROPER decorator would loosen the sockets off and use a proprietary filler and sandpaper to make it good. After painting the sockets can then be screwed back in to place.

 

[atprice]

A proper decorator would also have loosened off the socket, papered behind and then screwed the sockets back down, but guess what...? Just another thing to add to the list I guess.

 

[DaveHerns]

Are you sure it's not decorator's caulk? That's not quite as bad

 

[Taylortwocities]

Are you sure it's not decorator's caulk? That's not quite as bad

It still falls a long way short of what I would accept.

 

[atprice]

No, it's definitely silicone. I need to try and ease the socket off to see exactly what he's done. This is the guy who used emulsion on the picture rails and hasn't sanded down any of the other woodwork before glossing (it's actually peeling off the newel post, it's that bad).

The lesson is that it's definitely worth taking time off from work to be at home when you have any trade in to do a job. Annoyingly, if I'd been able to take the time off I would have done the work myself and done it much better. I'm supposed to give him the opportunity to rectify any problems but there are so many and I think he's so incompetent that I really don't want him back in the house.