Someone put 1/2" drywall on top of my paneling.Now the light switches and electrical outlets are recessed. SOS

Question

How do I make this work now that drywall is on top of the paneling and my switches and outlets are deep into the walls. Yes, he did cut around them when placing the drywall. What should he have done? What can I do now?

Answer 1

Code doesn't permit the box to be more than 1/8" behind the finish wall. You can install extension rings to bring the enclosures flush to the finish wall. These come with longer 8-32 screws, too.  You will have to dig the old devices out from under the new rock and patch where necessary - the sheetrocker should have unscrewed them first so they could be easily installed at the surface.

Now you know one reason so many electricians have few nice things to say about sheetrockers.

Answer 2

yes 6/32 screws and these box extender will work nicely.  sometimes they are called spark rings or goof rings

http://70.86.88.179/m_9.htm

Answer 3

oh dear this aint good , but not the end   ...

  you can , get long screws to make the plates meet the  boxes....  im not sure why this person did this, really odd

  i also you check for  insulation, as most paneling didnt have it behind it   ....

   if you cant do this you maybe wish to consider  re done the walls  again  , big job , but at least it will be done right

Answer 4

go to hardware store and get you some 6-32 x1 1/2' screws and remove the ones on the switch and put in new ones

Answer 5

There are electrical box extensions available for such an occurrence. i have seen blue plastic ones available in the hardware store.

At Lowe's they call them a "Wall Box Extender", Item #: 103391