Electric sockets under sink in new kitchen!

socks_uk

I know water & electicity don't mix so I'm a little concerned about the kitchen company putting a double socket under the kitchen sink for plugging in my dishwasher and plinth heater. The kitchen company have said it's perfectly safe.

Can anyone put my mind at rest or point me in the right direction of who to contact next?

Thanks,

Jill

oldandhappy

Eventually we have always had a leak under the sink...taps and wasteflow come to mind and keeping a bowl under ours has been useful on those occasions...so I would not feel happy about sockets under sink for that reason.

ollyk

nothing against this in the regs. maybe not ideal just don't grip the metal sink with one hand whilst extracting a plug with your other wet hand :eek:

socks_uk

ollyk wrote:

nothing against this in the regs. maybe not ideal just don't grip the metal sink with one hand whilst extracting a plug with your other wet hand :eek:

Maybe it's a good job I've got a granite sink then!
Thanks ollyk

ollyk

If you want to be a little safer you could make a sort of deflector out of plastic or something then seal top and sides with silicon sealent - it will keep any leaks off and also make you think twice before removing the plug...?

chez_2

socks_uk wrote:

I know water & electicity don't mix

That's simply not true.

THey mix very well..that's the problem. Water is a good conductor of electricity, which is where the problem comes in.

I wouldn't want power sockets under my sink...

JennyW_2

we had our plug under the sink for our dishwasher at our old home. We just ensured it was covered up in case there was a leak. Five years on, no leaks, no problems.

JennyW_2

chez wrote:

That's simply not true.

THey mix very well..that's the problem. Water is a good conductor of electricity, which is where the problem comes in.

I wouldn't want power sockets under my sink...

I believe the OP saying "don't mix" knew they shouldn't come into contact with each other.

never_enough

We had 2 plugs under our sink in last place, for dishwasher & washing machine. They were on the wall of the cupboard, never had any problem, but they were at the far end of the draining board, so we felt it was pretty safe.

tawnyowls

Ditto. It's very rare to have a leak that goes sideways; most leaks will occur as dripping downwards. If you're really concerned, a cheaper alternative to moving the socket would be to replace it with a waterproof outdoor one that encloses the plugs beneath a cover.

Mikeyorks

And a further ditto. With integrated appliances it's becoming increasingly difficult for fitters to put the sockets out of sight - and under the sink is now commonplace for a couple of sockets.

Ours is home for the dishwasher on one side and the fridge on the other. Without that the nearest practical home is several metres away - as they're certainly no longer welcome above the worktop and with leads trailing everywhere. Which is more a hazard than having the sockets / leads neatly tidied away?

In the unlikely event of a leak - it spurs you to get it sorted!