Potential 'mare.

[OhmSweetOhm]

The mother's asked me to do a wonderful job for her in the 1930 built house that she lives in. She wants 2 sockets put in her bedroom either side of the bed. Problem is, the house was built in 1930. Old DB, old lath and plater walls that are ridiculously thin, a single ring main that covers the entire house upstairs and down (and probably isn't even a ring). And she wants it all done with "as little mess as possible".

Anyone done much additional work to houses like this?
Do I go on the basis that the ring main will be in a ring and incorporate my 2 sockets into it?

Don't wanna be a bad son and say "it's not worth the hastle!" as if she's just another customer.

Also, with the walls being so thin I'm not sure I'll be able to chase a box in and fix it back with a plug and screw. Is there any known adhesive or other methods that can be used to fix the box?

Thanks,
Ohm.

 

[JUD]

Can you not get cavity boxes in??

 

[Mark_Burgess]

I all honesty, all i'd be worried about is that there may be asbestos in the old plaster.

 

[Guest111]

If it was me it would be a radial straight back to the board,a trick I learned with thin brick was to stick the box in with drylining adhesive ,goes off in about 10 minutes and as hard as the hobbs of hell perfect stuff really for any quick patching where you dont want to wait hours for it to harden.

 

[telectrix]

doubtful if it will have asbestos in it. use wallboard adhesive to stick boxes in ( the stuff the spreads dot and dab with). or fit a noggin between the studding. failing that, use surface patresses.

 

[Moses]

The mother's asked me to do a wonderful job for her in the 1930 built house that she lives in. She wants 2 sockets put in her bedroom either side of the bed. Problem is, the house was built in 1930. Old DB, old lath and plater walls that are ridiculously thin, a single ring main that covers the entire house upstairs and down (and probably isn't even a ring). And she wants it all done with "as little mess as possible".

Anyone done much additional work to houses like this?
Do I go on the basis that the ring main will be in a ring and incorporate my 2 sockets into it?

Don't wanna be a bad son and say "it's not worth the hastle!" as if she's just another customer.

Also, with the walls being so thin I'm not sure I'll be able to chase a box in and fix it back with a plug and screw. Is there any known adhesive or other methods that can be used to fix the box?

Thanks,
Ohm.

Do a X connect R1+R2 test and r1,12 & rn continuity test on the RFC

Ensure that the results meet the regs.

Then use the cavity boxes, as above, and make cutouts using the plasterboard saw.

 

[dingledong]

its for your mum christ sake . i wouldn't care if it was asbestos or the house was on fire ,i'd do it and it would be perfect even if it took all month .... and why not test it for her anyway for free !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[alarm man]

as tel,just surface it,be ok if its behind a bedside table,which all mams have..

 

[Octopus]

Is there a socket nearby? If so, convert it to a SFCU, use surface trunking and sockets with RCD's!!

What about the bonding?

 

[JUD]

Are we talking about a stud wall here???

 

[sedgy34]

surface mount sockets on skirting board

 

[OhmSweetOhm]

Lath and plaster walls, so cavity boxes are a no go. The wall just crumbles to bits.
Radial back to the board would be the ideal scenario but it would mean chasing a s*** load of the walls.
Dryling/Wallboard adhesive. I'll take a look in the nearest B&Q for some. Best get myself to the cashpoint before I go there...
No surface anything is wanted. All gotta be hidden!
And yeah there is a socket near but it's a double. Don't know if you can get double FCUs?

 

[telectrix]

so come off the existing local socket with an adjacent FCU ( RCD one if not already RCD protected,) then spur to 2 new sockets.

 

[JUD]

And yeah there is a socket near but it's a double. Don't know if you can get double FCUs?

Replace the double box for a dual...

Dual 25mm KO Flush Box (2 x Single)

... 1 FCU and 1 single socket

 

[kingeri]

Just remember, mum or no mum, it must meet the regs! Don't cut corners on testing, be sure that what you're adding on to is safe and up to the job first!

 

[VoltzElectrical]

just to add to all the posts already here, First, test to ensure you have a ring, then if this is the case, then add to it it, either one double socket from one point ( as per regs) or Fused spur then more than one socket.

As has been stated, it might be worthwhile mapping the electrics so you know what is doing what in your mum's house and recording some results for your own peace of mind.

 

[ringer]

If you're going to B&Q, take a business letterhead, business card, logoed shirt etc and ask to join Tradepoint (the B&Q trade discount scheme). Could save you a few bob. Did that myself - sometimes B&Q is the only place open on a sunday or in the evenings. Saves a packet on any DIY work you want to do at home as well

 

[Des 56]

Its likely the sockets are on a radial with a Jb in a central location,it may be the equivelent of 4mm and possibly a straight spur off to each socket will be Ok
The lathe and plaster walls will be a pain using dry lining boxes.ohmsweethomes dry lining adhesive will do the trick
Just gauge a big enough hole and gob it in

 

[diditrain]

Old C/U, buried cables, rcd`s, bit more than just a couple of extra sockets i think

 

[Deleted member 9648]

An RCD FCU just for two bedside sockets likely to have a table light and alarm clock plugged in?....in an upstairs bedroom?....nothing else in the house on an RCD??......complete muppetry.Either tell her the whole place needs upgrading and is not safe to extend....
Or.....as long as the existing is capable of being extended (loading wise) and is earthed I'd just do it if it was my mother......It's been like it decades without a problem,two bedside sockets is hardly going to change that.

 

[telectrix]

An RCD FCU just for two bedside sockets likely to have a table light and alarm clock plugged in?....in an upstairs bedroom?....nothing else in the house on an RCD??......complete muppetry.Either tell her the whole place needs upgrading and is not safe to extend....
Or.....as long as the existing is capable of being extended (loading wise) and is earthed I'd just do it if it was my mother......It's been like it decades without a problem,two bedside sockets is hardly going to change that.

i quite agree, pointless excercise, but regs. say new sockets must have RCD protection. common sense says why bother.