Diy advice needed

[GalacticTowelMaster]

Hello, diy novice here. Can someone advise best way to fill this gap next to an electric socket please?

I would go with pollyfiller or similar. You’ll also need a smoothing tool as well to get it flush. I’d also take the power off at the consumer unit, loosen the screws that hold the socket in so that you can get it all flush. I’m sure there’s a YouTube video or two to show you.

Is the hole because the hole in the wall is larger than the socket or is it because the socket has been placed off center from the hole in the wall (so it overlaps a lot on the other side). Is the socket cover slightly loose?

Something like this? On Amazon look at wall socket surrounds :-)

I'm not sure?? Sorry. Looking through the hole it looks like the back box is about half a centimetre away from the hole. I think if I try to put polyfilla in its so deep that it will just fall in.

I would turn off power just in case while you work.
Unscrew plate, and let sockets hang down out of the way.

Fill the gap flush to the wall & box with Polyfilla - it'll be easier to do w/o the sockets in the way, as you can more effectively bridge the gap. If needs be do a layer, let that dry and add more on top.
Let it dry (you could turn power back on when not working on socket site if you can ensure no animal/small child will touch it - or fence it off), then sand off gently to smooth enough to paint.
Paint in with a small paintbrush to match the wall.
Replace sockets.

You need to unscrew the plate and have a proper look. You wouldn’t fill it with the plate still fully screwed to the wall.

Nope. You can buy deep hole stuff that is good down to 10cm or so from memory. Other thing you could do is put caulk around it which will probably work depending on how wide the gap is.

Polyfilla won't work because it won't stick well enough to the surface of a large gap like that. Caulk will work because it is very sticky.

The proper way to do it is of course is first make sure it is safe to do the job by inspecting the socket and making sure it is safe to work, then fill the gap with caulk, but you have to be capable of working with electrics to do that.

I had a similar problem and did mine with caulk without taking the socket off, but I had taken it off previously and was sure that what was behind the socket/gap was in good shape. Basically a bit of masking tape on the edge of the socket, fill once to close the gap largely, then fill again and smooth off with the usual techniques to get a good finish, then paint over. Mine looked perfect after.

Turn the power off and undo the screws holding the faceplate down. If the hole is alongside the backbox but too deep to fill with filler then stuff it with newspaper or similar, then use quick dry filler over the top of that to fill the gap, let it dry, then replace faceplate and screw back down. Then turn the power back on.

Yup. Don’t worry about the newspaper catching fire or anything next to potentially hot electrics.

Pollyfiller will absolutely work - definitely agree with the point of checking what is behind first as you don’t want pollyfiller all over a packed electrical box. Other thing you could do is a very small bit of expanding foam and then filler over the top. Seriously though, just a bit of pollyfiller and then caulk if you want.

I bought some light switch cover plates for some of mine, as I wouldn’t feel confident filling holes around electric sockets. You can get all sorts, plain or patterned edges and different colours, just measure your current one to get the right size to fit.

It depends whether it is set in a plastered brick or blockwork wall, or is in plasterboard.

Sockets should always be fitted in a fireproof enclosure. In a plastered wall it is a rectangular metal box, screwed to the wall, and in plasterboard it is a plastic box that has clips to grip the board. The metal box is plastered round level with the wall. The plaster is outside the box so is away from the electrical parts. The plastic box is supposed to be fitted into an accurately cut hole so should need no filler.

In both cases, the box is smaller that the fascia of the socket so it hides the join.

To repair it properly you will need to turn off the power at the consumer unit and test for dead before slackening or removing the two fixing screws in the plastic fascia plate to give you access.

A few things:
The wires going into the socket are retained by screws in brass terminals. If they are badly fitted, too short, or loose, they might come out. You can put them back and tighten the screws but you will need the correct size of screwdrivers, and possibly a torch. Electrician's screwdrivers are insulated for safety, usually in red and yellow, and sold in sets as "VDE screwdrivers." You can get a decent set at Aldi, Screwfix or B&Q. I think it is important to have the correct tools at hand before you start work in case they are needed.

You will be working with wet filler and possibly metal knives so it is important to cut off the electricity and loosen the socket so you can see what you're doing.

Otherwise, I suppose you could use decorators caulk as a bodge.