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Loose outlet in ceramic tiled wall

4K views 14 replies 7 participants last post by  sublime2 
#1 ·
I have an electrical outlet in a ceramic tile covered bathroom wall that is loose. The box is metal and the wall behind the tile is plaster. I've tried tightening screws and adding a concrete but the box still moves. Its a guest bathroom so it doesn't get much use but looks like I'll have some this summer and need to get fixed.

Suggestions?
 
#4 ·
Got a picture?
Kill the power to the outlet, remove the cover and the screws holding the outlet in place.
Pull the outlet out of the box and push to the side.
Install a couple more screws into the side of the box.
 
#9 ·
provided you have enough room/slack you could pull the box and install an 'old work' box. they have wings that cam out when the screws are tightened that pul the box tight against the wall, with flanges that rest against the outside of the wall. Of course this would require removing and re-instaling the receptacle.
 
#10 ·
I picked up both an old box with the flaps and the madison straps and learned that it has a third name, locally "F" straps.

So here is the situation, I've got a nearly one inch wall of ceramic tile and plaster with a metal screen that secures the plaster. Picture shows this.

The old work box (blue) is thicker and longer than the old box. I've used files and a grinder to get the box to fit but the grinder started to chatter the tile. Depth is ok. I attempted to edge the grinder inward to get at the plaster but I just don't have enough clearance.

The F straps, once in and due to wall thickness and metal screen do not project enough to secure the old box.

Not sure where to go with this so looking for suggestions.





 
#14 ·
Here's how this project finished...the Dremel was the fix. Got a tile cutter bit that worked nicely with some patience. After the first Dremel burned out just after the warranty period (ten years) I thought I could do without another one. The pictures show the box in the hole and the finished results. Not sure I got the flap up but it was tight fit.

Thanks all for the tips!



 
#15 ·
Here's how this project finished...the Dremel was the fix. Got a tile cutter bit that worked nicely with some patience. After the first Dremel burned out just after the warranty period (ten years) I thought I could do without another one. The pictures show the box in the hole and the finished results. Not sure I got the flap up but it was tight fit.

Thanks all for the tips!
Nice job!
 
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