Saturday, August 8, 2009

Changing cover plates in your house

Hi ! Its Doug... Does anyone have dirty yucky cover plates on their switch's or outlet's? It happens! Generally you can spray a cloth or paper towel with an antibacterial 409 type of cleaner, then wipe away the gunft and grime! If the plates are an older type or painted, chipped, cracked, wallpapered,etc. then changing them an is easy task. You only need one small flathead screwdriver, thin and tight (examination type) rubber gloves, and the new plates! Be sure to try to use a smaller flathead screwdriver because the cover plate screws have a small slot on them. You don't want to strip the screw, they are sometimes easy to do that with a larger screwdriver.
So here's your first step in replacing the cover plates in your home :

1. Put on your rubber gloves. If you don't, you will get the grime from touching the old plates on your wall. It always happens. So, now take one switch plate completely off, generally two small screws on top and bottom. Then take one outlet plate completely off, which is generally one screw in the middle. Take off your gloves, you definitely don't want to go to the store wearing them.
2. Take those plates to the supply store that your new plates await, and be sure to match the switch and outlet types with the new. This way you will avoid any unnecessary trips back and forth.
3. Once you are ready to install the new plates, lay them out at each of their new locations on the floor below. Be sure to open each cover plate package individually, at each switch or outlet. This way, if you drop the small screws out of the package, you can retrieve them because you are PAYING ATTENTION. Easy, huh?
4. Place the new plate on the wall with one hand, and set in the first small screw with the other. I usually have my screwdriver in my tool bags, but a close pocket works great for quick reaching! So, grab your driver and set/screw in the screw just until it gets slightly snug. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN! The plate could break, so be easy. I usually set the screw/screws to face straight up and down, so it gives a professional look!
5. If the plate is not exactly straight, you can sometimes gently place the screwdriver at either top or bottom of the edge of the plate, and give a slight bump on the end of the driver to move the plate. Sometimes you need to bump a little tougher to move it into a straight position, but don't try too hard. If it does not move at all, then leave it alone. Your electrician will need to take a look at it and probably straighten up the circuitry behind the device. No worries, at least you have a nice new plate!
THATS IT! If you are not too certain about touching the switch's or outlets because of the electricity, you can always ask a friend to help. YOU KNOW HOW NOW THOUGH, so thats cool.

Thanks for reading, and please stay tuned for more electrical fun!

Doug the electrician!

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