What "man jobs" have you done today?

[gingergundog]

I made awesome progress last night with the TV wall in the kitchen.

Yes, that is 2 pencil lines drawn level on the wall. I know.
I need to spur off that socket on the left, and add another on the right to the end of the pencil lines. But as you can see there is a section of wall that sticks out there. I don't really know what's in it. lol
This is the end of my kitchen which is extended and has a pitched roof above it. The power wires going into the socket actually come in from the top (probs due to underfloor heating?) and go out again as well so assume it is not the last one on loop. I was going to basically just channel from left, all along the wall to the new location and try to sort of drill/multi tool out the wall behind the pillar bit, as opposed to channelling literally around the outside of the pillar bit. My concern is that inside the pillar bit is some kind of steel support. Or it could be brick? That outside wall is double brick thickness and bare plaster rendered straight onto the wall internally. The pillar bit sounds a mixture of hollow and solid. What would you do? Make some discovery drill holes?

If the pillar is steel it will have plasterboard on it, if brick could be either...id poke a flathead in the plaster to see what's in there, it will soon be evident. If it is brick I guess you could try and drill through a channel and if steel you might have room behind.

If that's too much of a ball ache you could cut a hole in the ceiling and extend your ring with a MF Wago. Once you have access to it its hopefully just a vertical chase down to the TV.

 

[jaybee]

Thanks. I noticed this crack/fill job at the top of the wall as well.

Always been there since we moved in but now I come to think about it more, it seems that this is most likely how they routed the power wires to this socket. This crack goes across the wall above where the TV will be, about 12 inches down from the ceiling, then disappears into another support column in the middle of the room and then behind some kitchen cupboards. My stud detector reckons it finds electrical cable when I go over it as well. Hmm.
So I could take a feed off of this directly above the TV, and then come straight down the wall but...how does one tap into wires like this? Is that even a thing? I would have to carefully cut into the wall to not damage the cables, make a big enough area around said cables, to allow me to cut them back and tee into one of them with wago connectors to then start a run down the wall, then fill all the plaster back in. Am I making sense?
TLDR, horizontal ring cables will most likely be running just above where the TV will go on that wall and can I tap into them and just go straight vertically down to the socket?

 

[Cookeh]

Wanted to move the location of a WiFi extender socket as my partner seems to be unable to get WiFi on her Apple products upstairs (every android/MS product I have is fine, so thats confusing). Unfortunately the wires have been cut too short and don't reach the new poles on the socket...

Had to settle for changing some sockets to USB ones instead, and now will try and find a singe gang WiFi extender as thats the only socket in the whole upstairs that hasn't had itd wires cut to within an gnats pube of its life.

 

[dlockers]

Wanted to move the location of a WiFi extender socket as my partner seems to be unable to get WiFi on her Apple products upstairs (every android/MS product I have is fine, so thats confusing). Unfortunately the wires have been cut too short and don't reach the new poles on the socket...

Had to settle for changing some sockets to USB ones instead, and now will try and find a singe gang WiFi extender as thats the only socket in the whole upstairs that hasn't had itd wires cut to within an gnats pube of its life.

These are such a poor solution to any issue around WiFi coverage. Just get a proper WiFi network setup...

 

[Cookeh]

Yeah they are, but they're also very cheap and I personally have no issues currently anyway. PC is on ethernet so no loss there either. Could spend £££ on a mesh system or can spend £15 and 5mins on a WiFi socket that lets her scroll Instagram in peace.

Mesh is the last resort, but literally all she uses WiFi for is video calls and social media. If you know any more budget friendly solutions then I'll gladly entertain them - there's always a better way as you say.

 

[dlockers]

Yeah they are, but they're also very cheap and I personally have no issues currently anyway. PC is on ethernet so no loss there either. Could spend £££ on a mesh system or can spend £15 and 5mins on a WiFi socket that lets her scroll Instagram in peace.

Mesh is the last resort, but literally all she uses WiFi for is video calls and social media. If you know any more budget friendly solutions then I'll gladly entertain them - there's always a better way as you say.

TP Link N300 or something. Like £12. No e-waste sockets required!

 

[Armageus]

how does one tap into wires like this? Is that even a thing? I would have to carefully cut into the wall to not damage the cables, make a big enough area around said cables, to allow me to cut them back and tee into one of them with wago connectors to then start a run down the wall, then fill all the plaster back in. Am I making sense?
TLDR, horizontal ring cables will most likely be running just above where the TV will go on that wall and can I tap into them and just go straight vertically down to the socket?

See the sections on "How to add a spur on a ring circuit" and "How to run a spur from a junction box" here

How to add more electrical sockets | Ideas & Advice | DIY at B&Q

Replacing a socket or converting a single socket into a double are simple jobs. We'll show you how to add more electrical sockets with our guide.

www.diy.com

Essentially you'd cut one of the ring cables, fit a junction box (not just wagos), and then the new sockets would be a spur tee'd off there.

Note that I'm not an electrician and you'd need to check that it complies with current regulations. You certainly can't just use Wagos, as I believe any tee need to be accessible, so need to be in a proper junction box with removable cover.

 

[Cookeh]

TP Link N300 or something. Like £12. No e-waste sockets required!

I have a huge lack of sockets in general in the property, plug-in options are a blessing and a curse. That's the only reason I consider the wifi socket faces, at least then I'm not losing a plug.

Doesn't hurt to bear in mind though.

 

[dlockers]

Thanks. I noticed this crack/fill job at the top of the wall as well.

Always been there since we moved in but now I come to think about it more, it seems that this is most likely how they routed the power wires to this socket. This crack goes across the wall above where the TV will be, about 12 inches down from the ceiling, then disappears into another support column in the middle of the room and then behind some kitchen cupboards. My stud detector reckons it finds electrical cable when I go over it as well. Hmm.
So I could take a feed off of this directly above the TV, and then come straight down the wall but...how does one tap into wires like this? Is that even a thing? I would have to carefully cut into the wall to not damage the cables, make a big enough area around said cables, to allow me to cut them back and tee into one of them with wago connectors to then start a run down the wall, then fill all the plaster back in. Am I making sense?
TLDR, horizontal ring cables will most likely be running just above where the TV will go on that wall and can I tap into them and just go straight vertically down to the socket?

Hard to tell what's going on;

1. remove socket and see if you have two wires going into it. If so, it's part of the ring. If not, it is just a spur from another socket.
2. if two, and you are sure the area pictured contains the ring, you can simply break one half and add another socket in, and then connect it back together. you will need to add a box to allow yourself to patch in some wire to connect it back up

See the sections on "How to add a spur on a ring circuit" and "How to run a spur from a junction box" here

How to add more electrical sockets | Ideas & Advice | DIY at B&Q

Replacing a socket or converting a single socket into a double are simple jobs. We'll show you how to add more electrical sockets with our guide.

www.diy.com

Essentially you'd cut one of the ring cables, fit a junction box (not just wagos), and then the new sockets would be a spur tee'd off there.

Note that I'm not an electrician and you'd need to check that it complies with current regulations. You certainly can't just use Wagos, as I believe any tee need to be accessible, so need to be in a proper junction box with removable cover.

Wagos are maintenance free if you use the box, but it'll stand out/look quite silly as you can't bury them in a wall.

 

[Armageus]

Wagos are maintenance free if you use the box, but it'll stand out/look quite silly as you can't bury them in a wall.

Totally agree - no issue with Wagos being used, just meant that they couldn't go straight into the wall.

Afaik you have to have connections either behind a socket, or in an accessible junction box / steel back box with with blanking plate - there isn't any other way to comply with regulations

 

[jaybee]

Understood. Yeah the socket that exists in the picture is on a ring. I came to that conclusion based on:

a) It has two sets of wires going in/out of it
b) It is on a 32 amp breaker

I think the simplest method is going to be drilling in behind the pillar thing and channelling all along the wall from existing socket to the location I want a new one. I'll come back to thread when the roof falls down and you can all laugh.

EDIT: Or I could do what @dlockers says, but do the wagos have to be able to be got to? i.e. A single square backbox with a blanking plate over the top? Might look a bit naff.

 

[jaybee]

Totally agree - no issue with Wagos being used, just meant that they couldn't go straight into the wall.

Afaik you have to have connections either behind a socket, or in an accessible junction box / steel back box with with blanking plate - there isn't any other way to comply with regulations

Right yeah, sorry missed this comment. Hmm. Food for thought cheers guys.

 

[dlockers]

Understood. Yeah the socket that exists in the picture is on a ring. I came to that conclusion based on:

a) It has two sets of wires going in/out of it
b) It is on a 32 amp breaker

I think the simplest method is going to be drilling in behind the pillar thing and channelling all along the wall from existing socket to the location I want a new one. I'll come back to thread when the roof falls down and you can all laugh.

EDIT: Or I could do what @dlockers says, but do the wagos have to be able to be got to? i.e. A single square backbox with a blanking plate over the top? Might look a bit naff.

If you can make it work with the wall space, you can do this to avoid any random connectors:

 

[gingergundog]

Thanks. I noticed this crack/fill job at the top of the wall as well.

Always been there since we moved in but now I come to think about it more, it seems that this is most likely how they routed the power wires to this socket. This crack goes across the wall above where the TV will be, about 12 inches down from the ceiling, then disappears into another support column in the middle of the room and then behind some kitchen cupboards. My stud detector reckons it finds electrical cable when I go over it as well. Hmm.
So I could take a feed off of this directly above the TV, and then come straight down the wall but...how does one tap into wires like this? Is that even a thing? I would have to carefully cut into the wall to not damage the cables, make a big enough area around said cables, to allow me to cut them back and tee into one of them with wago connectors to then start a run down the wall, then fill all the plaster back in. Am I making sense?
TLDR, horizontal ring cables will most likely be running just above where the TV will go on that wall and can I tap into them and just go straight vertically down to the socket?

I wouldn't recommend burying connections of any kind in the wall unless using a backbox and blanking plate, that will look a bit naff though.

If you do go for the MF option in the ceiling either use the Wago Box but you normally have to get the connectors separately or use a J083 Hagar which comes with the connectors.

Tbh Id have root around the pillar to see what's there before embarking on any other option. Maybe you can make a connection in that top corner of the pillar/beam somehow then run the new alongside the existing cables where the crack in the plaster is(if they are cables buried there), you could then perhaps fill and decorate both in one go.

 

[sigma]

Built some shelves using floorboard chipboard and stud wall wood.

 

[DanTheMan]

Took the radiator off in the bedroom I'm doing a full renovation of. I actually remembered we have a George wet vac this time, so I could hoover up the water from the radiator as it drained.

 

[dlockers]

Took the radiator off in the bedroom I'm doing a full renovation of. I actually remembered we have a George wet vac this time, so I could hoover up the water from the radiator as it drained.

This is such a god tier method that I feel doesn't get socialised enough lol. Used to hate pissin around with rads but this makes it a cinch.

 

[aVdub]

using a backbox and blanking plate, that will look a bit naff though.

But by doing so (the plate can be painted) you are informing future owners of what is going on.
ie Feed from above, to socket/s below for TV.
If continuing the ring is awkward, then a simple fused spur would be OK.

Not aiming this at anyone in particular, but sometimes a simple question comes with far too many replies, that can over complicate something that can be done with ease.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Pulled out 4 of our bay trees that didn’t survive the cold winter last year. Managed to save the rest. Pulled them out with my bare hands, was good fun and a decent test of some real world gym strength

Going to replace two of them, probably not cheap and the two others that were in pots with some bamboo.

Lesson learnt, cover the plants your care about in the winter.

Have also put some grass seed now that the giant trampoline is finally gone from the garden. Possibly a bit early for grass seed, but figured I’d try.

 

[tonys]

Pulled out 4 of our bay trees that didn’t survive the cold winter last year. Managed to save the rest. Pulled them out with my bare hands, was good fun and a decent test of some real world gym strength

Going to replace two of them, probably not cheap and the two others that were in pots with some bamboo.

Lesson learnt, cover the plants your care about in the winter.

Have also put some grass seed now that the giant trampoline is finally gone from the garden. Possibly a bit early for grass seed, but figured I’d try.

If you put some plastic sheet over the grass seed it will help keep the ground warm. Regarding the bamboo, check what one you get as it will spread even the slower growing ones.