Electrical outlets/switches are Loose after sheetrock install

[GilpinGuy]

I'm a pretty handy guy, but electrical stuff is not my specialty. A while ago I had the entire house sheetrocked - the walls had old, 70's paneling before that. I stripped off the paneling and the sheetrock went up. Being a tight ass, I thought I'd do everything I could myself to save a few bucks.

Now the outlets and switches are recessed and to get them out to the wall plate, I have to loosen the screws holding the outlets in place to get them out far enough. But this leaves the outlets loose and crooked behind the wall plate. I'm sure there is a simple solution to fix this but I have no clue what it is.

What do I do here? Thanks!

[flogger]

Try some 'spark rings', they are made for outlets in kitchen backsplashes where tile has been added and the box is now recessed. Its a small open-backed plastic box that can be trimmed for depth and they come with long screws. HDepot has them pretty cheap.

[RCCrawler]

The boxes should have been moved before the Sheetrock went up.

[ray1970]

The boxes should have been moved before the Sheetrock went up.

This would have been your best option. But, since you are beyond that point, I'd see if you can remove the old boxes through the drywall and install some new ones. I think that can be done.

[eneranch]

You can try these as mentioned before:

38753 38755

Was the Sheetrock laid over the receptacle/switches ? If so, you will need to dig them out (try not to damage the rock as much as possible), remove the wires, slide the boxes over the wires & fit them to the opening, then rewire the switch/receptacle. You can buy longer screws if they didn't come with the boxes.

[Sparky]

You can try these as mentioned before:

38753 38755

Was the Sheetrock laid over the receptacle/switches ? If so, you will need to dig them out (try not to damage the rock as much as possible), remove the wires, slide the boxes over the wires & fit them to the opening, then rewire the switch/receptacle. You can buy longer screws if they didn't come with the boxes.

Try this fix first. Gonna be the cheapest and easiest. Not to mention up to code because your boxes are recessed in the drywall.

[asmo]

Depending on the depth you may want to grab some caterpillars.

http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/caterpillar-1.jpg

http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/caterpillar-side.jpg


http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/17/hands-on-caterpillars-fix-wiggly-outlets-once-and-for-all/

[def90]

Typically the outlets will be loose and when you tighten the faceplate up to them they become tight with the faceplate and the wall. If you tighten up the faceplate to the outlet and they are still loose you need to screw the outlet in a little further then try the wall plate again. The yellow shims shown above work also.

[Sparky]

Depending on the depth you may want to grab some caterpillars.

http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/caterpillar-1.jpg

http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/caterpillar-side.jpg


http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/17/hands-on-caterpillars-fix-wiggly-outlets-once-and-for-all/

Not really a legal installation. Not sure why they even sell them

[merl]

Not really a legal installation. Not sure why they even sell them

Because it is better than going down a couple aisles and getting a 100pack of metal washers? :)