Replacement Light Switches

Dated plastic light switches can appear yellow and cracked and the workings of them can feel spongy and tired. New REPLACEMENT LIGHT SWITCHES and sockets can make the room feel more luxurious and can really finish off the look you were going for. 

Choosing Replacement Light Switches

There are many different types of light switches that you can purchase these days, chrome light switches, brushed steel light switches, brass light switches and more. Have a chat with your local electrician about the type and brand you are considering as quality and installation methods can vary and with such an important purchase, it’s important to get it right first time. 

Can I have dimmers?

In many cases, it is possible to install dimming technology into your lighting circuits where required. With older properties it is common for the light switches to be installed into very shallow ‘back boxes’ which will often require replacing before dimmers can be installed OR the dimmer can be mounted away from the wall using a backing plate. There are pros and cons for each method of installing these dimmer switches and your electrician will talk you through these in more detail.

Installing a mounting plate or a spacer is the cheaper option in most cases but aesthetically looks worse than the second option.

The second option is to remove the old box from the wall and install deeper boxes for the dimmer switches to sit into. This is a more expensive option but often gives a better finish as the dimmer switches will then sit flatter against the surrounding wall. This option involves removing some of the wall behind the swich normally to make it deeper, this can be time consuming and messy, but again, gives the best finish. 

Your electrician will be able to tell you what is possible in your home and what can be done to get the finish that you want. 

What are the best light switches to get?

Some brands are better quality than others, some brands are easier to install than others but generally the light switches that are available in all good electrical wholesalers are all made to the relevant British standard and should all perform the same task to a minimum level of safety and longevity. 

Care should be taken if shopping online or on the high street to only use a reputable source for your electrical accessories. There are many fakes, non-compliant and downright dangerous electrical accessories on the market and this can cause your electrician to refuse to install them due to the risk of injury to persons through electric shock or fire in the home. 

Purchasing your electrical accessories through a reputable source and checking with your electrician is the safest way to ensure that the REPLACEMENT LIGHT SWITCHES you are planning to purchase are safe. 

Is there anything that I should do before having switches and sockets replaced?

Yes. I thought you would never ask. 😊

If you are considering having electrical works carried out in your home and your home is over 10 years old then it is STRONGLY recommended that you have an electrical inspection carried out before any work commences. 
As electrical systems age, they degrade. Electrical systems are also often subjected to DIY electrical work by unqualified persons and in some cases, this can lead to non-compliant, unsafe, or downright dangerous situations that MAY only become apparent when an electrical inspection is carried out. Remember that electric has no smell like gas, makes no noise and serious situations can go undetected until a secondary fault develops. 

There is also the mindset that, if you are going to be spending considerable time and money renovating and decorating your home then it’s probably best to know if the electrics are shot before spending the money on decorating. It’s a terrible shame to have to damage new decoration whilst rewiring a property that could have been saved by an inspection prior to works. ☹

If the electrics at your Liverpool home are old or you have any concerns about the safety of the system in your home then get in touch. An ‘electrical MOT’ is a great idea the older a property becomes. 

Can I have metal light switches?

Your electrician will need to check that every switch is earthed back to the incoming supply earth before replacing electrical accessories. Despite an earth wire being seemingly present in the back of the switch, without an electrician’s knowledge and test equipment there is no way to determine if the earth is connected correctly throughout the electrical installation back to the incoming equipment. 

Your electrician will likely also carry out other testing and inspection on the circuit before completing the work as there are special requirements that should be carried out in order to produce a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC). 

This document is filled out when most minor electrical work is carried out. The document is proof that the required testing and inspection has been carried out to ascertain the safety of the electrics that have been worked on. It is an important document for YOU and the electrician. It is proof that works have been done correctly and that the installer has put their name to the installation.

Your home is the biggest investment you are likely to make so it’s important that any work carried out is done so correctly to protect the investment, you, and your family. 

IF you are thinking of REPLACEMENT LIGHTS SWITCHES or sockets at your Liverpool home then get in touch today and I will help you with your project.