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Extend switches and receptacles into bath vanity?
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Posted by californiaplaya (My Page) on Mon, Nov 16, 09 at 5:40
| I am currently in the planning stages of a minor bath remodel (replace flooring, toilet, vanity, etc.). I currently have a large vanity, but am thinking about replacing this with a smaller vanity and then mount a matching linen closet to the left of this. But, this would cover up the receptacle and light switches on the wall. So, would correcting this be as simple as extending the wiring through the cabinet and mounting the switches and receptacle to the side of the cabinet, using Romex or flex conduit or whatever is necessary, or would it be more involved than that to be up to code?
Thanks!!! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Extend switches and receptacles into bath vanity?
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| If there are connections in the box even you must leave them accessible. Of course, if it's in the closet that's fine. But you can't put a vanity over it or such. |
RE: Extend switches and receptacles into bath vanity?
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| As long as you you cut an opening in the vanity so that you have access to the boxes you are fine. You can even use screws to put a panel back over the opening and leave blank covers on the boxes behind the panel. The panel cannot be nailed in place. You could also simply cut matching openings inside the vanity and add box extenders and finish with a blank plate. This is actually harder since the placement of the openings becomes very critical, and the box extenders must be flush with the inside of the vanity since it would be considered a flammable surface. |
RE: Extend switches and receptacles into bath vanity?
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| Thank you for the replies. I now realize that I was so focussed on IF it could be done, I didn't thoroughly think about HOW to do it. Once I get the wiring into the vanity (actually going to be a linen cabinet or something similar) I am ok with making holes, installing boxes, switches, receptacles, etc. What I didn't thoroughly think through is what to do where the cabinet meets the wall. So, I butt this cabinet up against the wall, I need to make holes on that side. You are correct brickeyee, I think doing box extenders would be the best way, but those holes would have to match the existing holes in the walls dead on. Another way would be what? Cut holes in that side of the cabinet - safe to assume the holes need to be at least the size of the existing holes in the wall for access? Use Romex (armored cable perhaps) and connect this with pigtails to the existing wiring in the walls and run this around the back of the cabinet attached with staples or straps to the other side of the cabinet where the new receptacle will be located? How close or far off am I? I'm just thinking this through as I go. Only thing I'm not sure of is how to cover up the hole in the side of the cabinet where it meets the wall. Maybe use a blank plate on the existing box and drill a hole through it just large enough to run the Romex through? And then fabricate another plate to cover up the hole cut in the cabinet, again making a hole through it just large enough to run the Romex? Of course, both of these plates would be screwed on and removable. |
RE: Extend switches and receptacles into bath vanity?
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| Another way: Take out a piece of drywall where the switches are to the, not quite, edge of the cabinet, drill through any studs and mount the switches and outlet in the wall. Replace the piece of drywall, no finish neccessary since the cabinet will cover it. Cut a piece out of the back of the cabinet larger than the switches and outlets combined. Place cabinet in position and trim the inside of the hole with 1/4" strips and screw the piece of cabinet on that. |
RE: Extend switches and receptacles into bath vanity?
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| You lost me a bit on that one hendricus. Are you saying to either relocate the switches and receptacle on the wall where they are not covered by the cabinet or mount them inside the cabinet? |
RE: Extend switches and receptacles into bath vanity?
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| Mount them on the wall next to the cabinet. Taking out a piece of drywall lets you work in the wall to drill through a stud to run the wires. Mount old work boxes where you need them and you shouldn't have to run wires in a covered wall for more than a foot. |
RE: Extend switches and receptacles into bath vanity?
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| This sounds similar to a project I was thinking about. I was planning on putting in built-in furniture along one wall of an attic bedroom. Because of the slope of the ceiling, there isn't standing headroom against the wall. The idea was to buy generic kitchen cabinets when they come on sale again at the BiG BoX Store. The required sizes would fill the entire lenght of the wall, complete with a long section of countertop. It would essentially be one long chest of drawers with a kid-proof top. It would provide a lot of storage in some bedroom space that's not easy to use. But it would cover up 3 electrical outlets. I'd like to have some electrical outlets on the countertop for a lamp (as the knee wall is about countertop height, there wouldn't be any wall to move the outlet up). What is the code for having electrical in built-in cabinets? I've seen it in free-standing bookshelves, etc. Would I have to leave the cabinets unattached to the wall? Would I need conduit in the cabinets? Mark |
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