How To Fix Outlet Plate Pulling From Wall

A Guide on How to Fix Loose Electrical Outlet

An electrical box is loose behind the wall Have you ever wiggled an electrical plug out of the socket? Or, had to pull hard at an bending because the outlet moved? You might exist wondering why they become loose and how to set loose electrical outlets.

The constant movement over time and the position of the electrical box can cause electrical sockets to get loose. This is not only frustrating only tin potentially be dangerous if left unrepaired.

In my video, I have pinpointed several solutions for this problem. These range from unproblematic fixes like tightening screws to more than complex problems similar plumbing equipment spacers behind the electrical box. Non to worry - I have found several like shooting fish in a barrel solutions that will repair this annoying and potentially dangerous problem for skillful.

SAFETY FIRST:

Whenever dealing with electricity, y'all will want to close off the principal ability from your electrical breaker box. To be sure that the ability is turned off to the electrical socket, utilize a excursion tester. This inexpensive tool is a fast and convenient fashion to verify whether the outlet is really delivering ability. Circuit testers typically look like a pen with a tip that you stick into the outlet or expect similar an AC plug with red and yellowish light indicators.

TIGHTENING SCREWS:

In that location are a few reasons why outlets can become loose. In my case, the screws needed to be tightened because the outlet moved around inside the electrical box. The solution is but to remove the comprehend plate and tighten the screws connecting the outlet to the box. At present, the cover plate is flush with the outlet and is firmly in place.

ELECTRICAL BOX Fix Back:

Extender and Spacers for electrical outlet If you've tried that, and it has not solved your problem, it may be that the electrical box is gear up too deep into the wall. Y'all volition know if that is your issue because tightening the screws will crusade the outlet to exist recessed from the embrace plate. If yous find that your electric box is set deep in the wall, then your solution will be to use spacers to help the screws attach to the electric box. There are a number of different types of spacers to use which I demonstrate in the video.

The starting time blazon of spacer is easily customizable as information technology comes in a long strip that tin can be folded and cut, as demonstrated in the video. Yous volition be able to fold these to the right thickness that you crave to prepare the wobbly outlet. These can simply be placed between the outlet and the box and tightened to reach the perfect fit. Ruby-red Switch and Receptacle Spacers

Another blazon of spacer is plastic tubing made specifically for this use, Plastic Round Tubing Spacers. These come up in dissimilar lengths, and the best approach is to take a utility knife to cutting and fit information technology based on the gap that you are trying to fix. Once you accept carefully cut a piece of the plastic tubing with the utility knife, back up the screws of the outlet and slip the spiral inside the spacer. Tighten until the outlet is flush with the cover plate and information technology is stable.

SCENARIO WHERE ELECTRICAL BOX IS Gear up Also FAR BACK:

If your electric box is on a wall with backsplash tile, wainscotting, or an additional layer of wallboard, information technology may be recessed so far into the wall where even a spacer won't aid. In this case, where your electrical box is extremely recessed and spacers aren't enough, there is another solution to fix this problem. Y'all tin can apply a box extender like this Receptacle Outlet Box Extender. Simply pull the receptacle out of the box and skid the extender over the outlet. When information technology's in place, simply tighten the screws.

In some cases, it is possible that your loose outlet is the result of a loose electrical box within the wall. It is possible to ready this problem with a wall plate spacer - without having to open up the wall. Slipping the spacer plate backside the receptacle and tightening the screws should do the chore!

A loose outlet may be frustrating, but it can exist easily fixed with one of these solutions. Whether your outlet is slightly loose from a screw, or if you need a type of spacer for a better fitting, watch the total video for an in-depth solution to fix your loose outlet.