How To Repair An Outlet Box In Ovrrsized Hole

Sheetrocker cut the hole too big on an old work box opening, and the tabs aren't catching. Any neat tricks or "gadgets" to fix this issue - short of cutting out the rock and patching in a new piece with a proper sized cut out?

Boy - if it ain't one thing, it's another! Can't win on this job - everything I come to, ends up being a surprise.

Thanks,

Brett

What I have done in the past is:

Cut two short pieces of wood and insert them in the hole one at a time, screwing through the sheetrock to support them. Make sure you leave enough room to install the box. Now you can plaster or sheetrock over the wood and paint. The box will now be well supported to complete your work.

celtic said:

So the rocker cuts the holes for an outlet, and the electrician repairs the damage to the sheetrock....what's wrong with that picture?

Nothing as long as he is getting paid for it :cool:

bjp_ne_elec said:

Sheetrocker cut the hole too big on an old work box opening, and the tabs aren't catching.

I'm not sure I've got this.

Are "the tabs" the old work box plaster ears, or

Are "the tabs" the device yoke ears?

if its nm cable, and a metal old work, try using a plastic old work box they are larger than the 2x3 opening used for metal boxes.

Trevor - that's what I was looking for!

Elec2 - I agree with you - I'm getting paid by the hour on this one.

Al - the tabs I speak of are the metal ears on the top and bottom of the box - not the yoke on the device.

Brett

Brett,

Pierre and Chris have the solution.

Instead of lathe, I like 1/4 or 3/8" plywood (the drywall screws won't split it). I agree with Chris, the plywood should be in two strips about 7-8" long and only 1-2" wide.

Put one plywood strip at a time inside the hole, and hold the strip with your fingers against the back side of the drywall. While pressing the plywood against the drywall, set a couple drywall screws through the drywall and into the plywood.

Use a metal rework box with plaster ears that are depth-adjustable so you can screw the plaster ears directly to the plywood also, leaving the front of the box out at the drywall surface where it should be.

Slap in some Durabond 30, or equiv., and leave the rest for the drywaller and/or painter to smooth out.

We usually have the problem being the drywall guys didnt cut out for the box.Why was this guy doing your job to start with ?Many ways to fix this but he needs to learn.Solution #1 = make him come back and repair/replace drywall.Solution #2 you do the above and he will continue to mess things up.Your an electrician and patching is not something you should be doing.If this drywall guy looses an hour or two for free he will start being more carefull.