I am about to start a remodel. Many of the walls in the house are covered in 70’s style paneling some with nothing underneath and some covering old plaster. I am planning on covering in sheet rock and redoing all the trim and re-selling the house. My question is about the existing outlets and switches. What is the most efficient way to deal with the 3/8″ gap between the old surface and the new. Is there an easier fix rather than removing the paneling and or plaster pulling the boxes off and or replacing the boxes. I often seem to need to replace the boxes as they seem to get mangled in the process. what does code say about the maximum gap allowed between the box and the new surface. Do they make shims to build up the edge of the old box to the new height and is it “okay” to use those on every box?
Thanks for any help.
Replies
Use Box EXTENDERS.
They are readily available.
Exactly for that purpose.
Here are some examples.
http://www.receptxtenders.com/
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/Hardware-Cable/Arlington-Low-Voltage/Item/BE1/
http://www.texastoolbox.com/tile-backsplash.html
What Bill said use the extenders
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They do make "box extenders", somtimes called "mud rings" although I believe (not sure) that they are two different items. . I am not an electrician so can't get specific about what is available in sizes but they are out there. Head down to your local electrical supply house or call you local electrician for a place to buy them.
Yes a mud ring is a completley different item.You can see some examples of extenders in my other post.Here is an example of a mud ring.http://www.electrical-supply.net/product.asp_Q_promoid_E_6_A_parentID_E_414_A_subCatID_E_429_A_prodID_E_2050This is for a 2 gang in a 4x4 box. but you can also get 1 gage for 4x4 boxes. That is great when you need lots of space for box fill, say using it as a junction box. But only need space for one receptacle.And you can get them with different ofsets for different wall thickness.
Thanks for the info, I was fairly certain they were different , but one never knows what an item is called in different parts of the country. Great clarifications and answer.
Another insdustry term for them is a "spark ring" It is required so that no errant spark can fall into the gap. If you pay more than .50 for each, you are getting robbed
Called Plaster ring around this neck of the woods. Go figure?