Sockets on skirting board

WillowCat

Had an offer accepted on a 50's terrace house. First thing I noticed when viewing is that the sockets are all (except kitchen) on the skirting boards on surface mount boxes so they stick out loads.

When I quizzed the vendor re the electrics I was told they had been completely rewired 25 years ago (they've owned the place nearly 30 years).

The wiring coming from the consumer unit/fuse box is white pvc sheathed, and the unit looks like it probably is about 25 years old, so I believe what they are saying.

Under normal circumstances I would imagine that it just needs a test then an up to date consumer unit fitted - i.e. no full rewire. But what can be done about the sockets on the skirting?

Am I just prejudiced against them or are they a real problem?

Am I correct in thinking that the sockets couldn't just be moved up as the wires would be too short?

As far as the vendor's concerned the electrics are fine and they're not interested in budging on the price to account for a rewire.:rolleyes:

I just look at them and :eek::eek:

Would you be happy with them?

marvin

No I wouldn't! But i'm not buying it!

As to the wires being too short depends on where the wires are coming from. If the wires are coming ceiling to floor then not too short if just going behind the skirting I would ask the vendor who did the rewiring. if it was done by them (as could be the case 25 years ago) I would worry.

WillowCat

I could see the wires coming up from under the floor on top of the skirting and entering the back box from the bottom.

They did say that the house was built of engineering bricks (not blocks or soft bricks or stone) - would that be a valid reason for not sinking them into the wall? I'm assuming even if it was then that it would not be possible for new sockets to be fitted in the same way.

My first house was rewired 20 years ago and I remember then being told that sockets should never be on skirting.

That's a good point regarding whether the vendor did it - he did mention they were short of money at the time.

marvin

Can see no reason for the blocks putting the block on the sockets being in the wall but you would need a qualified and experienced sparkie to confirm that.

wallbash

Lets not panic

If every time you decorated a room , you had to move the sockets up .
Not the biggest problem in the world . You could change single ?? to double .

Not happy if the wall is engineering / v hard brick , but again not an impossible job.

As far as the vendor's concerned the electrics are fine and they're not interested in budging on the price to account for a rewire

It all depends on how much you want that house ??

Would you be happy with them?

Would love them to be flush mounted ,at the correct height , all doubles ,
lots of them .... but willing for a major compromise if I wanted that house.

wallbash

My first house was rewired 20 years ago and I remember then being told that sockets should never be on skirting.

But if you placed them 12 inches or so above floor height , then
todays thinking is to position them even higher up the wall . Cant ever keep up with modern electrical thinking .

WillowCat

wallbash wrote: »

Lets not panic

If every time you decorated a room , you had to move the sockets up .
Not the biggest problem in the world . You could change single ?? to double .

Can I just move them up myself then? I thought it would be a no-no to join new cable on the end (assuming wires under floor don't have the slack).

marvin

WillowCat wrote: »

Can I just move them up myself then? I thought it would be a no-no to join new cable on the end (assuming wires under floor don't have the slack).

I don't think work like this can now be carried out by anyone except a qualified sparkie (not 100% sure on what the regs are but there is something about work having to be certificated) so probably not.

However using the correct terminal connectors under the floor will allow the cable to be extended if you wish.

justjohn

i have just had a full rewire on a house. it costs 3000ish. get the wiring checked by a pro if unsure of the electrics

wallbash

A competent DIYer may be allowed to carry out Non-notifiable work without having to notify the Building Control Officer, but it is always best to check with them first.
Examples of such work are:
Replacing sockets, switches and ceiling roses
Replacing damaged cable in one circuit
Replacing socket boxes

In addition, some other works may be deemed Non-notifiable anywhere except in kichens, bathrooms, utility rooms and other special locations. In these areas they will be considered Notifiable
Examples of such work are:
Adding light fittings and switches to existing circuits
Adding sockets or fused spurs to existing ring or radial circuits

That was cut and pasted :D

Some one will come along and tell you wots now legal.


DON'T tell anyone, keep it a secret , but if it was me ( and because I 've been doing it for years ) would do it in my home with out any hesitation.

But then again .... always been a bit of a rebel :rotfl::rotfl:

wallbash

If you cut out for the boxes , lifted the floorboards, channelled the walls ,
then got a qualified ( not me :eek::eek: I haven't the paper work ) man just to run/rewire you will save a fortune.