Some of the electrical outlets in my house are lose. One is even starting to come away from the wall.?

Question

Is this a fire hazard?

Answer 1

are there cover plates on top ,,if not,,,, yes ,,,remove the cover plate,, and then tighten the screws for the outlet or switch to the box ,,,dont contact the screws or metal other than the screws for the front ,,,up and down ,,,now replace the covers and then relax as that should be it ,,if the covers are missing ,,and the outlets are loose ,,,then tighten and then cover ,,with a new cover ,,from wall mart for 50 cents

Answer 2

Yes, it's a serious fire hazard, but can easily be fixed. First off, is it the box the outlet is in that's loose, or the fixture itself? There's usually three parts: the cover plate, the fixture -- what you put the plug into -- and the box embedded in the wall. If the plate is loose, just take a screwdriver and tighten the screw in the middle.

If it's the fixture, first TURN OFF THE POWER!!!! Shut down your computer to protect it, and then plug a lamp into the socket and flip circuit breakers until the lamp goes out. Then remove the cover plate, and there should be two screws, top and bottom of the outlet. If they're loose, then tighten them up and put it all back together.

If the box itself is loose, and give that you're asking this question, I'd say call an electrician and let the pro's handle it. There are simple ways to fix it, but once you go beyond tightening the screws it's best to let someone who knows how not to get electrocuted handle it.

If you're renting, the landlord has a legal obligation to maintain the premises in a safe and liveable condition; they cannot ignore this problem.

Answer 3

IT CAN BE,I would start the fix by turning off the circuit breakers or remove the fuses for those rooms and then CAREFULLY remove the cover plates from those outlets ONE AT A TIME and see what is damaged it could be anything from loose screws EASIEST TO FIX just tighten them to the outlet junction box has torn away from the section of wall where it is mounted BIG JOB CALL PROFESSIONAL HELP as it can involve disconecting all the wires from the outlet, removing the outlet it's box,repairing the wall and then putting the correct wires on the correct place on the outlet and refitting the outlet into the wall.

Answer 4

First things first,plug your basic lamp into the outlet in question and turn it on.Next locate the electrical breaker box ( it's the one with a bunch of switches inside)and turn the switch off that controls the outlet where the lamp is plug in.With the lamp off there is no risk of getting shocked.Now you can remove the (1) screw holding the cover plate to the outlet.There will be (2) screws ,one on top and one on the bottom,using a screw driver tighten these screws until snug.Replace the cover plate,flip the switch to restore power to the outlet,go on to the next receptacle and follow the same procedures.

Answer 5

Hi,
I,m an electrician and I see this everyday. most of the time when the outlet becomes loose it is because the cord has stress on it or is pull out wrong.
To repair it you will need to turn the power off and remove the screw that holds the cover. They should be two screws at top and bottom of the outlet. Good Luck!!!
Eddie

Answer 6

Good answers with the screw tightening, but if it is the box you had better learn how to patch drywall! It sounds to me like the electricians were lazy or inexperienced. Often times they will use the cover plate to tighten the device to the wall instead of the tabs on the yoke of the device. Is easier for them to level the device but just the act of plugging something in will loosen them are oven break the cover plate. Chexk the screws first, if you were to call me you'd feel VERY stupid when i charged you $200 to tighten a couple of screws!!

Answer 7

this is an EXTREME fire hazard as the wires could touch the metal box and short out..please get an electrician to replace the loose ones and have them check all other outlets.. ASAP!!!!

Answer 8

Don't muck around with the electricity get an electrician out to fix them, don't touch the power points unless all the power is switched off, its too dangerous to do it yourself.

Answer 9

DON'T bet your life on a light bulb----what if the bulb just burned out when you hit the breaker-----still hot in box-- even with a tester, when you are working with maybe live wires---use a good---no call an electrician

Answer 10

only if the bare wires are exposed. stick em back in with some spackle or epoxy