The Quick and Easy Way of Installing Electrical Wall Plates

Loose or ill-fitting electrical plates and outlets are not only an eyesore around the house, but they are also a dangerous safety hazard. There are several reasons why you should take this seriously. The direst of which is the fact that ill-fitting electrical wall plates – those that are either too small or too big, tend to leave gaps and gather dust respectively.

Any gap wider than 4.5mm increases the chances of short-circuits and electrocution considerably.  The lint, hair,and dust that gathers in these cracks act as kindling that can not only start fires, but also clog up your outlets at the very least.

The point is: you need to closely inspect your electrical wall plates and ensure that you install the right kind to minimize the chances of dust and lint gathering in the cracks left between them and the wall.

Why You Should Replace Wall Plates

Apart from the fact that substandard electrical wall plates can cause electrocution and fires in your home, there are other serious reasons why you should consider replacing them often:

• Charred and worn out outlets can cause fires
• You need to upgrade your wall plates to the latest models
• New wall plates give your house a clean, well-kept look should you want to sell it
• They could be harboring bed bugs

Reasons abound as to why you should inspect and replace your wall plates. On that, there is no question. Now all you need to do is find out the quick and easy way of installing electrical wall plates.

Sometime back, we gave you a comprehensive Buyer’s Point wall plate installation guide. This is a follow up of that and in many ways, clarifies and simplifies the process.

The Quick and Easy Way to Install Wall Plates

Oddly enough, there is one piece of advice that is not only crucial to your success in this venture but also very practical. However, not very many experts give it. That’s probably because most experts assume that it is a given and therefore goes without saying. The very first thing you need to do once you decide that you want to install new wall plates is:

Find the right, high-quality wall plates to install

Yes, it sounds like it is something every homeowner already knows but if you look at the statistics, you will see that there are about 1.3 million electrical residential fires reported each year in the United States.

These statistics show you just how many homeowners do not have high-quality electrical appliances or wall plates or do not have professionally installed electrical wires in their homes.

Find the right, high-quality wall plates to install; like the ones sold at Buyer’s Point and ensure that you are off to a good start.

The next steps are simple yet very crucial and should be followed to the letter:

Assemble the Right Tools

Once you have identified the right kind of wall plates you need, the next thing to do is to assemble the right tools for the job. You will need to have the following tools within reach:

• Non-contact voltage tester
• Wire strippers
• Screwdrivers (finishing and Philip’s head)
• Drill with a wood drill bit
• Drywall knife
• Pair of lineman’s pliers

You will also need a stud finder, ruler or level, cutting gloves and a pencil. Although you are advised to install the new wall plates in the same place as the old ones, there is a good chance that you may need to find a new spot and fill the previous one up.

Safety tip: If you are going to find a new spot for your wall plates, you need to hire a professional electrician to do the installation. This will involve the cutting and extension of electrical wires that may affect the rest of the house. Better safe than sorry.

Turn Off the Power from the Main Circuit Breaker

Turning off the power from the main circuit breaker is the number one rule of doing any electrical work. Always turn off the power from the main circuit breaker. NEVER assume that you will be careful not to mix up the wires nor touch the live one. Just turn the power off and use your voltage tester before you put your wire strippers to work.

Unscrew the Old Wall Plates

The simplest thing to do is to ensure that you unscrew and replace the old wall plates one at a time. This will keep you from leaving way too many wires hanging out from your wall. As much as you may have turned the main power off, if you have little ones running around, they can still hurt themselves on these wires.

Besides, unscrewing and replacing one wall plate at a time is not only methodical, but it gives you a chance to familiarize yourself with the kind of wiring you need to do so that the next ones after the first replacement will go faster and smoother.

Replace the Wires in the Right Place and in the Right Manner

Most outlets are standardized and have the same black wire (hot) that is typically tied together with a wire that goes to the switch, the red wire (switched hot) that goes to the outlet and the white wire (neutral).

When unscrewing the first wall plate and outlet, be sure to study how these wires are all tied together. Write it down or have a diagrammatic representation if you have to (you will have to replicate that circuit once you install the wall plate).

Install the New Electrical Wall Plates

Once you have the wires replaced in the right way in the outlet, install the new wall plate (use this guide to make things easier). Use your level to make sure that wall plate is installed at the right angles; you do not want to have awkwardly placed wall plates.

Once you have replaced the first wall plate, turn the power back on and try to see if the outlet works fine. If it does, then you know you have found the right sequence and system. Replicate that with the other plates,and you are golden.

As we mentioned earlier, the very first thing you should do is find the right wall plates with which to replace your old ones. We have the right collection of electrical wall plates at Buyer’s Point.

We even have the right kind of experts to advise you accordingly and give you the right kind of tips to get the job done properly. Give us a call today and let’s get those wall plates of yours upgraded.