skip to main content

Electrical Wiring

ARGH! no boxes

9 years ago

Went over to my daughter's house to help them change a ceiling fan. Took the old one down to find it was hanging from toggle bolts and no box connections just made under the ceiling bell. Off to get an old work box and my rotozip. Can't possibly have taken any more time to do it right.

Then was over at my son's to replace a kitchen light. Sure enough the same darn thing. Toggle bolts and the connections pushed up into the ceiling @*#*@) how hard is it to do it the safe, legal, and right way?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

joefixit2
9 years ago
It's the norm here whenever we see a ceiling fan in an older house. Either there will be no box or it will be a 3/0 with 8/32 machine screws bent inwards to fit the bracket onto the box. Have also seen boxes held in by plaster only holding a ceiling fan, and once I saw a fan installed on a remodel box with nothing but the plastic ears holding it into the drywall ceiling.
Ron Natalie
Original Author
9 years ago
Yeah, I've seen nightmares before but this one took me by surprise. I had done a pretty good inspection of this house when my daughter bought it several years ago. I know this builder used ITE Pushmatic panels (there were other houses in the neighborhood we looked at). However, this house was substantially reworked by someone who appears to have known what they were doing (new CH panel all done very neat and correct). Of course, that was six years earlier and the house was a rental in between so anything could have happened.

The condo my son is in is newer but I suspect that they came originally with a 4' tube fluorescent in the kitchen (where you make the connections inside the fixture) and some previous "harry homeowner" hacked this one it.

Nothing as bad as the house I had in NJ where I couldn't figure out how the lights in the bedroom could possibly work until I found a hidden splice where they swapped the conductors in the 14-3 that were running between the two accessible points.
Related Discussions
Argh...expired grout installed...!
Q
Comments (3)
I'd remove it and regrout. It'd be much easier and less time consuming. As for the date on the grout, I'm not sure how to read the date, but if you're right and it's from 03, I'd make my concerns known in writing to the GC, because it could become a problem any time over the next year. It wouldn't just be cracking out. I've seen outdated grout literally turn to powder a couple of months later. Cover yourself, and either keep the bag, or get a picture of it along with a closeup of that number.
...See More
ARGH!!! Our furance died last night
Q
Comments (20)
Update: heat is still on, which is good because it has been a pretty cold week. We met with the salesperson, who was the owner/founder's daughter. She was impressive with her knowledge of different systems. She even told us something we didn't know in that we once had a furnance in one of our hall closets. Then she said she'd go out to the car to get her coveralls and go under the crawlspace to evaluate our ductwork. I've never even been under there, LOL. So, she got us some very reasonable estimates on name brands and we will go with the one system. There are two rebates on the one, one from the manufactururer and one from the electric company, but the mfr rebate does not start until the 15th, though that's only next week. They will also credit us for the part they installed last weekend. I talked to my brother who works in commercial heating and cooling supply and he said this was a good system and a fair price. We've received good service from this company, so I feel confident going with them.
...See More
Best laid plans.....argh!
Q
Comments (6)
Sorry to hear of this. We are sort of in the same boat if it makes you feel any better. We are in week 11 of an average to small bathroom reno. and sitting around waiting ,waiting.... I was supposed to host a meeting of about 12 or 15 people and had to beg off because of the mess our house was in. Toilet, cabinets, all the parts all over in my living room. And now so many weeks later, I am due to re-host that meeting soon and I may not have any less of a mess. We are so disappointed in our contractors who did so many slop jobs that had to be re-done. Hopefully your guests will be back another time and get to see and use your lovely new bathroom. Don't settle just to get it done in time for this visit. You may regret it forever if you do.
...See More
New home, New AV needs, No ideas :)
Q
Comments (21)
I'm assuming lid was a typo. Wired is always better - it's more secure, more reliable, and doesn't rely on battery power. Of course if you're putting something in a finished house then not having to open up walls offsets the limitations of wireless which is what makes those systems (like Honeywell Lyric, or a DIY like Simplisafe) attractive. But if are doing new construction, and aren't a DIY type of person, I'd speak with a good local installer and they can advise. If you don't have time for that, in general, you'll want 22/4 and Cat 5A to each of the locations where you'll have a security keypad/screen, with the other end going to the location where you'll have the security panel. I'd also recommend 22/4 to where you'll want the siren and any motion detectors. And of course Cat for any security camera locations you might have. You could also put wire to the windows and doors where you will want security sensors. was typing that as you posted - yes, most (all?) window warranties will technically void if you drill into them for security sensors, though in reality it is rarely an issue. that said, wireless sensors (which just stick on to the window) continue to get smaller, more reliable and increased battery life so it's not a bad option (it's what we chose).
...See More
ionized_gw
9 years ago
It will be interesting to see how many "been there, seen that" responses there are. Joefixit already voted that this is a SNAFU. As for amateur me, I had one in a 1950 house for a couple of years. I don't remember where in the time line I discovered it, but 7' of brackish water in the house, after the wonderful Corps of Engineers' flood walls failed after Katrina, "fixed" it so I did not have to worry about it anymore.

I wondered how anyone would do it too, but ronnatalie's explanation of a previous luminaire with integral box makes a lot of sense.

Related Stories

PAINTING 10 Rules for Your Next Painting Project

By Jaana Bithell

Take your next painting journey from ‘argh!’ to ‘ta-da!’ with these designer tricks

REMODELING GUIDES 10 Signs You’re in the Middle of a Renovation

A renovation project allows you to choose every last detail for your home, but decision making can quickly go from ‘Ooooh’ to ‘Argh!’

STORAGE 5 Tips for Lightening Your Closet’s Load

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Create more space for clothes that make you look and feel good by learning to let go

MOST POPULAR From the Pros: How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

By Vanessa Brunner

Want a major new look for your kitchen or bathroom cabinets on a DIY budget? Don't pick up a paintbrush until you read this

LIFE 3 Ways to Get Unstuck — About Organizing, Decorating, Whatever

By Alison Hodgson

Break out of the do-nothing rut to accomplish your goals, whether at home or in other parts of your life

ARCHITECTURE House-Hunting Help: If You Could Pick Your Home Style ...

By Laura Gaskill

Love an open layout? Steer clear of Victorians. Hate stairs? Sidle up to a ranch. Whatever home you're looking for, this guide can help

MUDROOMS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Mudroom Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make a utilitarian mudroom snazzier and better organized with these cheap and easy ideas

BATHROOM DESIGN The Family Home: 8 Easy Tips for an Organized Bathroom

By Danyelle Mathews

If your bathroom has that hit-by-a-hurricane look that tends to come with kids, sort things out with these tried and true ideas

FEEL-GOOD HOME 10 Tips for a More Peaceful Home

By Laura Gaskill

Turn your everyday living space into a serene retreat by clearing visual distractions, softening your lighting and more

MOST POPULAR Decorating 101: How Much Is This Going to Cost Me?

Learn what you might spend on DIY decorating, plus where it’s good to splurge or scrimp

Sponsored

Everingham Design

Columbus' Home Design Experts Specializing in Custom Cabinets

More Discussions

Samsung Frame TV over a fireplace

13

Kitchen backsplash Dilemma

10

Where to place outlets in primary bathroom?

11

Why would only one outlet be working and no others on the same breaker

4

Globe light fixtures in closets

3