Kitchen remodel woes?

Question

We recently put up a ceramic back splash behind our sink but we didn't think to move the outlets so they would sit flush now our switchplates don't sit right and have gap between the plate and the outlet. Help please or advice??

Answer 1

Go to a Lowes, Home Depot, or some other place that sells electrical supplies and tell them what happened. There are special spacer boxes that can be put behind the outlets so that they are flush with the switchplates

Or you can order online here:
http://www.improvementscatalog.com/product/id/100584.do

Answer 2

I think what you need is an adaptor. You can find them in the electric department at Lowes. It will bring the plug out to be flush with the tile. It might be tricky to unscrew the plug from the old box. You might have to cut it out and replace. I just installed granite . I did pull out the outlets. I still had to replace the outlet and cover plate to a black one .To match the new black granite back splash. Something to think.

Answer 3

if the outlet is in the wall above the tile, and the bottom of the faceplate is being held out by tile, you can trim the bottom of the faceplate with a dremel tool or sander. On the other hand, if you outlet is entirely in a cutout in the tile, loosen the screws that attach the outlet to its electical box enough to allow it to be flush with the cover (this may require longer screws)

Answer 4

Valid answers so far. I'll add my two cents with questions of my own.

WHY NOT consider NOT installing boxes/switches and plates through tile; just re-locate them above the back splash into the wall.

How high up the wall can this backsplash possibly be?

CERTAINLY DO NOT CUT tile to accomdate a switch or receptacle.

Steven Wolf

Answer 5

Get a cutting tool and cut out the tile area around the plate so the cover will fit flush again. Caulk or grout the rough cut area. You then will have a neat "recessed" plug area.