Removing Wall Lights - seeking PigletJohn

[takethebiscuit]

We are wanting to remove wall lights from our lounge. Our house is twenty years old. One electrician has said he is concerned that if he starts cutting from the hallway roof above to remove the wires, it will make our house extra creaky as the house has particle board not solid floor boards. He said this is the only age of house he has concerns with, older or newer is fine. Really want to remove the dated wall lights but don't want to compromise the house. Any thoughts or experiences? PigletJohn, I'd love your thoughts.

[PigletJohn]

easiest thing would be to put a small junction box on or in the wall with the wires terminated inside it, ready for use next time somebody decides to have wall lamps. It must be visible to discourage you from putting a nail or screw in the cable.

It could be done using a flush architrave box and a small white plastic cover that can be painted to match the wall. Don't cut the wires so short that they can't be used.

Otherwise, the cable will need to be isolated at source and if this means cutting chipboard floors, the electrician will get the blame when the floor cracks and breaks. Chipboard is a very inferior material and is prone to cracking and creaking or breaking, even if you don't cut it.

If you can find a good carpenter, you could ask him to take up an entire section of floor and replace it with new, using noggins under all short or cut edges. Flooring ply is usually in sheets 2440x1220mm but he may be able to use a new piece 2440x610mm. It is fairly impossible to use the T&G unless you take up at least one big piece.

When your chipboard has enough cracks and holes in it, you can put it on a bonfire where it belongs and replace with ply, which is much better.

Chipboard will usually last until the builder has banked your cheque, sometimes longer.

[takethebiscuit]

Oh exactly, particle board and I are not good friends! That's hugely helpful advice, thank you so much for sharing your expertise PigletJohn.

[johnd2]

I should clarify that the junction box has to be visible and obviously an accessory if the wire is to be left live. It would have to be isolated at the other end if the junction box would be hidden in any way. Personally I wouldn't leave redundant live wires unless they were really obvious, and presumably that's the electricians concern too.

[fuzzyduck1]

Lol like your view on chipboard but don't burn it the glue they use to make it is horrid and will clog up your chimney liner