Finally - (partial) Electrical Rewire!

[Cubist]

"Alexa, dim lights 1,3,7 and 16 to 24% on the main candelabra and set everything else to romance mode"

Much easier than chasing cables, although it does remove some of the charm. Especially when the damned kids start shouting contradictory instructions.

No! No! and No! again. Theres enough perishing nagging technology around here what with my car telling me when it its going too fast or telling me to put my seat belt on and release the handbrake, reminders from utility providers to 'send us your latest meter reading' without some other 'Black Box in the Corner' assisting me in any way it can. Fortunately the First Lady fully concurs but with the qualification "We don't need a smart device in the corner - she much prefers the dumb one she already has - he knows better than to talk back".

 

[malcolm]

I thought I would post an update on the electrics project. Skimming a ceiling might seem only tangentially related to electrics but it turns out to be an important step in the process. Once the linseed paint dries I can paint the ceiling panels and then the walls. Then I can fit the switches and sockets.

Couldn't be bothered to do the corridor which needs a lot of work. For that the sequence will be fit the electrics, get plaster all over them, replace them.

 

[Cubist]

For that the sequence will be fit the electrics, get plaster all over them, replace them.

I cling film mine to save the fuss later - and it can last years if people are cautious.

 

[malcolm]

I cling film mine to save the fuss later - and it can last years if people are cautious.

That's a good tip. I had been looking for things you could slip over sockets during the sort of decorating that involves bricklaying but nobody seems to make them.

 

[Cubist]

Masking tape used to be my 'go-to' product for this job but the adhesive transfer issue was a nuisance at times.

A quick wipe with an alcohol cleansing tissue to remove any oily residues on the socket cover and the cling film will usually get a grip, but I frequently just loosen the screws and poke the tails behind the wall plate.

Same approach works well when painting for those, like me, whose 'cutting in' can be a bit hit and miss.

 

[LadyArowana]

Masking tape used to be my 'go-to' product for this job but the adhesive transfer issue was a nuisance at times.

There’s brilliant stuff called De-sol—it sticker remover ( HG do it too ) for that. I had the mortal remains of year old Duck tape on my brass doorbell backplate from where the wireless temporary one was attached on top and the electrician said “you’re going to have fun trying to polish that” as he handed it over…… Ha, challenge accepted. No problem at all. I love me some shiny stuff.

 

[Zebra]

I used to take the sockets and switches off the walls, leaving them dangling on the wires, and wrap them in plastic bags.
Cubist when you said cling film can last years, did you leave your sockets wrapped in cling film for years? That's the kind of pace of progress we like!

 

[Cubist]

I used to take the sockets and switches off the walls, leaving them dangling on the wires, and wrap them in plastic bags.
Cubist when you said cling film can last years, did you leave your sockets wrapped in cling film for years? That's the kind of pace of progress we like!

I've done the same but stopped the practice when a visitors hound took a liking to a light switch dangling by its wires... and stole it for a rather spirited chase.

And yes, some of the cling-filmed switches have been through more than one refresh of the decor - much to the chagrin of the First Lady.

 

[malcolm]

The electrics are done! Henry is plugged in to a socket, I have switches that make the lights come on located in sensible places rather than behind the bar, and there are hardly any dangling cables left.

There was a worrying moment when the lights in the foreground flashed when I switched them on then immediately went out. Turned out the bulbs I ordered weren't dimmable bulbs.

It's all decorated now apart from the floor so I'll move some furniture in, maybe put some pictures on the wall, and get on with finishing the snug before winter.

 

[a twig]

Excellent work Malcolm, looks great!

 

[malcolm]

Just for fun I found some before, later, and after photos. With luck I can post a finished photo for this room next year. Floor still needs doing before much else can happen and that's a winter job.

The work certainly wouldn't have been done properly without the extraordinary generosity of members of this forum in your help, advice, training, chandeliers, and friendship. Until you buy your first house you have no experience in how to go about maintaining or fixing a house and the mainstream advice seems all about doing things cheaply and badly. This forum has probably saved me many thousands of pounds and probably saved my house.

 

[LadyArowana]

Oooh that’s looking very very good. I’m well behind on forum things, travels around Scotland and soothing an enraged blacksmith keeping me busy.