Do I Have to Remove Outlets in the Installation Prep for a Granite Backsplash?

When you install a new kitchen back splash that goes around any electrical outlets or light switches, you must dismount the outlets or light switches from their anchors in the wall but not from their electrical wiring during the installation process. You do need to get rid of the old electrical boxes that surrounded the outlets and install electrical box extenders since the depth of the electrical box cutout increases with the extra layer on the wall.

Flat head screwdriver
Measuring tape
Scissors
Electrical box extenders

Instructions

- 1
  Shut off the electrical current to the electrical outlets using the electrical panel. Remove the covers from the outlets using a flat head screwdriver.
- 2
  Remove the screws that hold the electrical outlet boxes in the wall. Pull the electrical boxes out of the cutouts in the wall and work the electrical outlets through the openings in the middle of the electrical boxes to remove the electrical boxes completely.
- 3
  Measure the depth of the electrical outlet cutouts after you have finished installing the back splash. Trim the electrical box extenders with scissors to match the new depth. Insert the electrical outlets through the openings in the middle of the box extenders. Drive the screws through the holes in the box extenders, electrical outlets and the holes in the wall.
- 4
  Place the electrical outlet covers over the outlets and drive the screws through the covers and into the holes in the outlets. Restore the electrical flow to the outlets with the electrical panel.

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