Is painting over receptacles code????

Marvin Gardens

Microwave (10A) and coffee pot (6.5A). She refuses to give up either as they were gifts from here deceased husband. Being somewhat senile and very stubborn she can't/won't do one at a time.

It's a small kitchen and only one circuit on the counter side. The other side has no counter and is just refrig and stove.

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InPhase277

It was already said, but I agree. Just you being there would be good for her. Replacing 11 recepts would take less than an hour, and it is unlikely wiring from the 40s is in such bad shape as to cause further problems. I'll donate the wire and GFCI, and you can run her a new circuit for her microwave, too.

Marvin Gardens

I appreciate all the offers of help. It would be costly to send that stuff and I have enough of it around to replace it all. Somewhere I even have a 20 amp breaker.

When I get over there I will take a look at running a new circuit with 12/2 and see if I can get another circuit to the kitchen. She only has a half basement and the kitchen is over a real tight crawl space. I might insulate it while I am under there. She is always telling me that her kitchen floor is to cold to walk on. We have encouraged her to walk barefoot since she falls a lot when wearing her slippers so her feet get cold.

I scrapped off several receptacles today and it came off rather easy. Rather than mess with the plates I just replaced those. She was happy with that.

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My idea of a perfect day: No where to go and all day to get there.

farmerde

I live in Cali and almost every home I have rented or the one I am in now has had paint on the recepticles and switches due to sloppy paint jobs. Usually they come in and spray and you get the over spray on them. I don't know what the code is but I have never had a problem, it's more of an annoyance than anything.

RippySkippy

Hey MG...

I know many of us don't know each other nor the person that your looking after, and that's not important. What is important is that she has someone like you to help her. That my friend is what's great about being a neighbor, a friend and a person that gives a rats a$$ about your community.

In case the ladies' family doesn't say it...I will...thank you for taking the time to do what's right. Your a good man.

Merry Christmas to you an yours.

Rip

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LMASD

Termite

Its still before 8:00am, but that qualifies as the post of the day. Way to go guys.

Marvin Gardens

Well thanks RippySkippy and everyone else.

It seems that it is my time to help out the neighbors.

Last night my other neighbor, who is 79 and stuck in a wheel chair, calls me up and says he has no heat. I go over and his furnace is not firing up. It took about 2 hours to get it back up to speed and get him some heat. Good thing too cause it got down to 32 last night. I have a key to his house and just checked to make sure it is still working and it is a warm 78 in there.

I don't think of myself as something special. After 25 years of running medical calls I have seen lots of neighbors taking care of their neighbors. Whether they are old, young, healthy, sick or just there when their neighbors are not home neighbors have stepped up to the plate when there is a need. I just try to follow their example.

It's easy to get cynical when I saw the worst in humanity like drug addicts, prostitutes, gang bangers shooting each other, drunks killing babies with their cars, young people dying for various medical reasons, so it is good to see the good things like neighbors taking of their time and energy to help others in need.

You guys are giving of your time to offer total strangers advice on needs around their house which is admirable. Many may not say it but I know they are thankful for the advice. Some out there lack the confidence to do much of anything but after you pitch in they feel like they can get er done.

I could tell you story after story of neighbor giving of their time and energy but that doesn't have a lot to do with DIY and painted receptacles.

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My idea of a perfect day: No where to go and all day to get there.

hychesee

In thirty years I have not seen any code against painting receptacles, beyond making them gaudy and perhaps self insulating - anyways I doubled checked with a friend who is a BSEE and state master electrician and he said as long as it doesn't interfere with the operation you are good to go.