Our house was fully rewired a few months back, all fine and dandy. The plasterer coming to do a room next week wants the face plates taking off all sockets and switches. Is that as straightforward as it sounds? Should I be using wago things to keep the wires organised while the fronts are off? And are sockets with USB points a lot more complicated? I'm a pretty competent DIYer, but I ain't no sparky... Is this a job for a pro?
Isolate circuits at the consumer unit, and just unscrew the sockets /switches. Leave the wires connected. It’ll only be while he’s plastering. Sockets with USBs are no different, no extra terminals etc
The real issue here is keeping if safe. Wet plaster and live exposed circuits are not a good mix. I would do the following Identify the MCB supplying the circuit Switch off the supply at the main switch Remove DB cover Disconnect the circuit at the MCB Fit wagos to the disconnected cables Refit DB cover Switch on supply Test each socket for dead Remove faceplates Connect all Line(brown), Neutral(Blue), CPC(green/yellow) using 3 wago Carefully fold the cable into the back box Then let the plasterer make a mess Remove all plaster from the cables and back boxes Clean out screw lugs with a threading tool Reconnect all faceplates checking all cables are secure Refit faceplates Perform circuit dead tests Reconnect circuit at MCB Perform live tests Email invoice Good luck with your project. Once everything is back on the painter will just mess it up again
As above just loosen fittings and cover plates with bags or something similar, I can guarantee if you take fittings off plasterer will fill the boxes and you will end up trying to find them
The are plastering shield that allow you to unscrew the face plate, pull forward and then insert the plastic shield. Platsered can then get right up to the edge of back box and no plaster enters, or sticks on wires.
I bought a load of cheapo 2 wire WAGO like Chinese rip off connectors from Flea bay with the idea that I could use these to leave everything connected, put the cables in the backboxes with cardboard over while plastering happens, then after take the connectors off and replace the switch plates. It works well enough, just takes a wee while for the connectors to ship from China!
Top tips, thanks all! I'm going to go with taking off the fronts, wago connectors to hold it all safely and probs cardboard covers. Need it to all go smoothly as I can't be at home to sort out issues if there are any, and the poor plasterer did have a bit of a nightmare with wires coming adrift in the first room he did. I pick up skills by doing it and learning from you lot - all your replies are much appreciated, thank you!