Cannonfodder80 Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Hello all. Basically the pull cord light switch in my bathroom has been sticking so you have to pull it harder and harder (giggidy) until last night when the plasterboard on the ceiling broke leaving a nice 2 inch hole. My question is how would I go about fixing this? Would filling the hole with plaster and replacing the switch do the trick or would this just break leaving a bigger mess? Thanks, all help is greatly appreciated Link to post Share on other sites
shmook Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 A longish piece of wood through the hole, 8" or so, screw up through the board either side of the hole (equally spaced). Fill the hole and screw holes, re-paint, then fasten the light switch to said piece of wood. Probably best to buy a new pull switch too Link to post Share on other sites
Cannonfodder80 Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Thanks, I'll give that a go as I really don't fancy having to pay someone to do a job I could do myself Link to post Share on other sites
shmook Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 It's dead easy! The longer the piece of wood, the better, but that's dictated by the size of the cavity above really. Fire 2 or 3 screws per side and you'll be fine. It's how most of my lights are held up at home Link to post Share on other sites
amateurstuntman Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 The pull cord probably broke because there were pieces of damaged plaster falling into the moving parts and jamming them. Clean the switch out, put tape over the top of it (to stop more bits falling in it) then tape the whole thing to the ceiling. If the hole is particularly bad you could put some tape up there first to reinforce everything. Link to post Share on other sites
scorch Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Mastic it to the ceiling. Link to post Share on other sites
shmook Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 It will just rip down again with tape or mastic Link to post Share on other sites
scorch Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 It will just rip down again with tape or mastic My bad, I forgot my "sarcasm tag" Link to post Share on other sites
amateurstuntman Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 What? I should have been clear. Duck Tape Jungle Tape Harry Black Black Nasty Gaffa Tape Big thick strips of Harry Black, all over the thing. If it falls off, you haven't used enough. That stuff could tape up the crack of dawn. Link to post Share on other sites
Cannonfodder80 Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Thanks for all the suggestions, both serious and otherwise. From having a second look I think the easiest option is to move the switch 3 inches to one side and fill the old hole with mastic. Can anyone see any problems with this? Link to post Share on other sites
hitmanNo2 Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 When you go to turn on the light, you'll miss it Link to post Share on other sites
Cannonfodder80 Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 I suppose blindly groping around in the dark I'll feel like a 14 year old who's just pulled Link to post Share on other sites
shmook Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 No problem with moving the switch, as long as you fix it to something other than just plasterboard. It will happen again otherwise Do the piece of wood thing, and move the switch. Offer the switch up, drill through, and screw the top of the switch to the wood, 'sandwiching' the plasterboard. Then fill the old hole and paint. Or get stunt round with his gaffa tape and propensity for sticking things to other things whilst grinning like a maniac... Link to post Share on other sites
shmook Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 I suppose blindly groping around in the dark I'll feel like a 14 year old who's just pulled Fireknife will be round like a shot, using the old mount as a glory hole Link to post Share on other sites
Habakure Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Use a torch instead (no need for a switch or light), then you don't have to see the hole in the dark (as no-one looks up when it's dark out). Link to post Share on other sites
FireKnife Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 Fireknife will be round like a shot, using the old mount as a glory hole Ceiling based glory hole? Well first time for everything right? 'FireKnife' Link to post Share on other sites
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