To think this is genuinely the most boring question ever

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

We are just completing a loft extension

It has 4 double plug sockets in the room.

We have just finished painting and laid the Caroet today. Now the twunty electrician has realised that one doesn't work - probably because a wire was nicked so he says

Options are (1) to chip along the wall and find the fault and replace it. (2) take the socket out and get the plasterer to fill the hole. (3) just leave it - which is my thought

I have a 2 year old, a 1 year old and am 39 weeks pregnant. I am desperate to get the builders out and the thought of the plasterer coming back etc makes me want to sob.

I think that 3 might be the best option but am I hormonal and hysterical and will regret just leaving it as it would be silly to have a sucker that doesn't work?

I vote 3). Leave it. See if it bugs you in a year's time. Redo it then if it does, ignore it if it doesn't.

Option 3 because you can always do option 1 later and even option 2 although that may be expensive to do at a later date once he's off site.

We had three sockets (or all of them!) that didn't work in the children's bedroom for three years. It was totally fine.

I vote option one because surely it's the electrician's responsibility to fix it? Presumably he hasn't laid cables anywhere they could reasonably get 'nicked'?

you have to get the electrician to fix it.

A live wire exposed in a wall could cause a short circuit at best (which would put your electrics out) or a fire at worst.
It needs to be sorted

Yes - no issue that electrician/builder will bear the cost of fixing it

I'm just gutted that we've got the carpet down etc and nearly finished and now they're going to have to make a big mess fixing it and we'll need significant redecoration.

I'm really hormonal and been in floods of tears today because we've had building work going on for 6 months now nearly as loft was part of a bigger programme and it's only in the last two days that we've been able to start putting things away etc

So taking it out and patching it up isn't actually an option? The only safe option is to chip along until they find the damage and repair?

The builder - who is excellent - is disputing that it's a nicked wire. He thinks it's more likely that the socket hadn't been wired properly. Given that it's taken the electrician three weeks to sort out some buzzing spotlights, I'm inclined to agree

It's gotta be option one.

Is this where your mum is planning to plug her hair dryer in?

Get it sorted now whilst they are all on site.

It's not boring at all. Option 1 but it's heartbreaking for you.

Yes - no issue that electrician/builder will bear the cost of fixing it

I'd just do it then. Rip it off like a band-aide. Then have DH clean up the mess since you're pregnant and shouldn't be around wall plaster dust. You definitely don't want a newborn there when they have to renovate it and you can't keep a live wire in the house. Of all the options number 1 is the lesser of two evils I'm afraid.

Can he try rewiring the socket first? Then if that doesn't work chip along the walls?

I feel for your though, I would not have wanted people in my house at 39 weeks pregnant with two toddlers already running around.

Option 4 - get someone to check it.

Very difficult to 'nick' twin and earth, it is more likely to be a nick where the socket is connected, you can take the socket (the plastic bit off) and check yourself (well maybe not you if you are big and the sockets are low, but the builder could).

Is it both sockets of the double socket or just one? If it's one then it isn't a nick further down the wiring.

Very annoying, yes. Heartbreaking, no

Sorry that was for derxa, not you OP.

Faulty electrics are a fire risk.

It must be investigated immediately - too risky to ignore it.

I've texted the builder. I'm hoping the wire can be isolated and then it's a case of removing the switch and plastering.

However, I've lost confidence in the electrician (previous issues) and I'm not happy to accept his "diagnosis". I've texted and asked for another electrician to come out. If not, i'llgwt simeine myself.

Everyone else is more of a sensible grown-up than me! Of course it needs doing, and you sound like you have it under control. You're still nearly done, remember.

Get it fixed properly. If you leave it and it bugs you it will be more of a pain once filled with your stuff and decorated.

I feel your pain. We've just had our extension done. It's he'll.

Your electrician sounds rather incompetent.

Building work really is quite hellish

Right - builder and electrician in attendance to discuss. Apparently it's possible to isolate the wires to that plug which has been done so they are no longer live. They then removed the socket and will plaster the hole as I truly cannot be fucked with channeling the wall.

Feeling that it is less likely that I will die in a fire tonight but thank you all for your advice - it was really helpful

What happened to your bath in the end? Did you get it re-enamelled?

I think I remember your previous thread about the tiler who put the rubble in your bath. Gosh, you're not having much luck are you? When will it all be finished? Photos please!

kate - yes! And it worked brilliantly!

My next ishoooo is that I'm not sure I like the carpets we ordered and were laid this week. Unfortunately can't blame anyone else for that!

LOL - put an IKEA rug over the top. You can say it's to protect the carpet from little muddy shoes and jammy fingers.