- Set up a stepladder that's tall enough for you to work from the second-highest rung.
- Remove a remodeling box by turning the anchor bolts on the front of the box, using a screwdriver. ...
- Go into the attic to remove a roughed-in box. Pull out the nails holding it to the rafter, using a claw hammer.
- Cut a scrap piece of 1/2-inch plywood long enough to span the hole left by the box. Ensure the plywood overlaps the hole by 1 inch on either side.
- Measure the dimensions of the hole, using a tape measure. Cut a piece of drywall to fit and place it into the hole.
- Cover the edges of the patch and the screw holes with drywall joint compound. ...
- Let the joint compound dry, then recoat the patch with more joint compound. Scrape the compound flat, using a 6-inch knife.
- Allow the area to dry completely. Sand the final coat with 120-grit sandpaper. Prime the area with drywall primer.
How do you remove a box from the ceiling?
Remove the box from the ceiling. Unfasten the screws if the box is held to the ceiling joist with screws. If the box is nailed to the joist, loosen the box by striking it with a hammer. If a bar hanger supports the box between two ceiling joists, cut through the bar with a hacksaw.
How do I remove an electrical outlet from a box?
You can remove it only if you remove the wires. If another device is connected to the outlet you want to cap, you don't want to disconnect the wire feeding the outlet. Instead, after removing the outlet, splice the wires in the box together and cap them. Twist the black wires together, then twist the white wires and finally the bare ground wires.
Do I need to replace the electrical box in my Ceiling?
A ceiling fan requires a sturdier electrical box to support it. If you're installing a heavier light fixture or a ceiling fan, you'll need to replace the electrical box in the ceiling with one that can support the extra weight. You also should replace a ceiling box if the existing one is loose or damaged.
How do you wire a ceiling light to a plastic box?
Insert the electrical cable through a knockout hole in the back of the plastic electrical box. Turn the breaker on after you connect the fixture to the wires and secure it to the box. Turn off the breaker inside the main electrical panel that provides power to the ceiling electrical box.
How are ceiling electrical boxes attached?
Boxes can be mounted directly (with four screws) to a ceiling joist or wood blocking, or they can attach to adjustable braces spanning between ceiling joists.
How do I remove an old work ceiling electrical box?
Turn the screws counterclockwise with a screwdriver or a drill to remove them from a box attached to a board between the ceiling joists. Pull the box from the ceiling. As you pull the box from the ceiling, carefully remove the electrical wires from the box.
How do you remove a metal electrical box from the ceiling?
Insert a wooden dowel about 1-inch in diameter and about 12 inches long in the box. Make sure you do not place the dowel against any electrical wires. Position the dowel against a back or side wall of the box. Hit the end of the dowel with a claw hammer repeatedly until you knock the box loose from the joist or stud.
How do you remove an outlet box without damaging drywall?
0:261:52All About Walls : How to Remove a Switch Box From a Wall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOn take your flat bar. Put it on the side of the box. Just pry just a little bit that will loosenMoreOn take your flat bar. Put it on the side of the box. Just pry just a little bit that will loosen those nails up push the box back take your flat bar.
How do you replace a old ceiling junction box?
Install a plastic "old-work" ceiling junction box if your fixture weighs 10 pounds or less. Pull the electrical cable that's hanging from the ceiling through a knockout hole in the back of the box. Push the box into the hole in the ceiling until the lip of the box is flush with the drywall.
How do you remove blue plastic electrical box?
2:313:53How to remove an existing electrical duplex outlet box - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHang onto it tight. Come on baby. Oh they're whoo you see the Box move got the bottom of that. AtMoreHang onto it tight. Come on baby. Oh they're whoo you see the Box move got the bottom of that. At the bottom of this box see how it's moving now bottom of that box is cut off okay.
How do you remove a metal back box?
To remove a metal back box I usually fold each side and top & bottom inwards with a chisel and hammer, they come out quite easily that way and for cutting the hole or making a single into a double I use the scutch chisel and club hammer.
How do you remove a light switch box?
1:416:40How to remove a light switch box - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPutting my putty knife in there. I've got to get up in there. See there's one right there. AndMorePutting my putty knife in there. I've got to get up in there. See there's one right there. And there's one down at the bottom and you can kind of see sometimes you can see the nail. At the bottom
What do you do with wires after removing an outlet?
Dangling, exposed wires inside a wall are not only against building code, but also extremely dangerous and a fire hazard. Wires can, however, be left in the wall if they are not connected to a power source, such as another outlet, switch or circuit breaker.
How do you remove an outlet cover?
0:061:03How to Remove Electrical Outlet Covers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs long as you're careful not to stick your screwdriver into one of the holes. Now if your outletMoreAs long as you're careful not to stick your screwdriver into one of the holes. Now if your outlet doesn't come off because it's stuck you can take your screwdriver. And tap the top of it.
How do I remove an old electrical outlet?
0:117:37How To Replace An Old Electrical Outlet - Wall Plug ReplacementYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd take out the top and bottom screws that hold the receptacle to the.MoreAnd take out the top and bottom screws that hold the receptacle to the.
How do you remove an electrical round box?
6:447:49Tips on removing an existing light fixture junction box - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf it's just nailed. And if I can get it off with some nail puller. I can pull this box out and liftMoreIf it's just nailed. And if I can get it off with some nail puller. I can pull this box out and lift it up out of there.
How do you remove an old ceiling light fixture?
0:081:34How to Replace Ceiling Light Fixtures For Dummies - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut no matter how a fixture is hung the wiring is simple to replace a ceiling fixture the firstMoreBut no matter how a fixture is hung the wiring is simple to replace a ceiling fixture the first thing you do is turn off the power. Next remove the light bulb cover and bulbs from the fixture.
What is a remodel box?
Remodeling boxes, which are the ones attached to the drywall, are the more straightforward of the two types to remove. Any extra effort required to remove rough-in boxes goes mostly toward drywall removal. After taking down either type of box, you have a hole to patch which involves cutting, installing, taping and finishing drywall.
What happens when you take down a light fixture?
By Chris Deziel. After you take down a light fixture from the ceiling and remove the wiring, you're left with the ceiling box. Many ceiling boxes are plastic, and they are either nailed to a rafter or attached directly to the surface of the drywall. Remodeling boxes, which are the ones attached to the drywall, are the more straightforward ...
How to remove an outlet from a circuit?
After you've found the device to which the outlet you want to remove is connected and turned off the breaker, start by disconnecting the outlet wires from that device. If the device is an outlet or a switch, the wires may be pushed into locking holes on the back of the device.
What to do before you remove an outlet?
Before you remove the outlet itself, it's always a good idea to check the terminals with a voltage tester before you start working. You may feel certain the breaker is off and you disconnected the outlet, but are you 100 percent sure? A small miscalculation can have serious consequences.
How to release wires from a push wire outlet?
You can usually release the wires from a push wire outlet or switch by inserting a flat-head screwdriver into a slot near the wire and pulling out the wire. In many cases, though, it's easier to simply cut the wires with wire snips. Screw a wire cap tightly onto each wire you remove and push it into the back of the electrical box.
Why do you need to cap off an outlet?
You may be building a new bookcase or cabinet or you may be concerned that your toddler finds the outlet too interesting for comfort. It isn't difficult to remove an electrical outlet, but the procedure is different depending on whether or not you remove the wires.
Can you make a bookcase unusable?
The code requires the wires to remain accessible, so you'll have to plan for that when building your bookcase or cabinet. If you don't want to go to all the trouble of removing the outlet, you can always render it unusable by inserting a safety plug into each of the receptacles.
Can you use electrical tape to cover wires?
Don't use electrical tape. After covering all the wires, replace the outlet cover with a blank one, screwing it into the same holes to which the outlet cover was attached. This cover must remain accessible even though the wires are dead. You can remove it only if you remove the wires. Advertisement.
Can you remove an outlet?
It isn't difficult to remove an electrical outlet, but the procedure is different depending on whether or not you remove the wires. You can leave the wires where they are, but if you do that, you need to cap them and cover the electrical box with a removable plate.
Where are ceiling light boxes mounted?
Depending on where the light was installed, the box could be on the ceiling joists, to the side of the ceiling joists or between the joists. Initial installation of a ceiling light box happens during construction and prior to hanging the drywall on the ceiling.
How to remove a clamp connector from a box?
A locknut holds the clamp connector to the box. Turn the locknut counterclockwise with pliers to remove it from the connector threads. Break the tabs holding the wires inside a plastic box. Grab the tabs with pliers and pull until they snap from the box.
How to secure wires to metal box?
A single-screw metal clamp secures the wires to the top of some metal boxes. Turn the screw counterclockwise to loosen the clamp and carefully pull the wires from the box. Loosen the two screws on a twin-screw clamp connect or, if the wires are installed through the connector and into the box.
Can you access a box in the attic?
Remove a box secured by screws to a board attached between the ceiling joists from inside your room. You cannot access this box from the attic.
How to remove a receptacle from a box?
Unscrew the cover plate with a screwdriver, then unscrew the receptacle from the box. Disconnect the wires – the fastest way is to snip them with wire snippers – and remove the receptacle. Disconnect the circuit cable from the electrical panel if you don't plan to keep it.
How to get a circuit cable out of a box?
Break the plastic tabs at the back of the box with the screwdriver so that the cables slide easily, then pull out the circuit cable, if you are removing the circuit. You may be able to get it out by going into the attic or basement and pulling it through the top or bottom of the wall plate. If you can't do this, just push it out of the box.
What happens if you remove an electrical receptacle?
After removing an electrical receptacle, you're left with an unused electrical box, but it isn't empty. The wires that were feeding the receptacle are still there, as are the wires leading to devices farther down the circuit.
How to secure a circuit cable to a stud?
Staple the circuit cable to the stud with wire staples to keep it out of the way if you couldn't pull it out. Before you finish the job, be sure to cut off the other end so that the cable is unusable. Cut back and secure any cable branching off from the receptacle in the same way.
Can you pull a receptacle out of a circuit?
If you're removing the entire circuit, however, or if the receptacle was at the end of the line, you can pull the box out. The difficulty of the job depends on whether it's a rough-in or remodeling box. Disconnect the receptacle, if you haven't done that already, by first turning off the breaker that controls the circuit it's on.
