Kitchen Tile and Electrical Outlets and Wiring
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How to Remove an Outlet from a Kitchen Counter Top or Tiled Wall: Keep Electrical Wiring Accessible, Removing an Outlet by Opening the Wall. © By: Dave Rongey |
Guide to Removing Kitchen Outlets and Wiring
Question: I have a newer home and it has several GFI outlets in the kitchen, laundry room and garage.
- I want to tile my back splashes and I want to remove one of the outlets and tile over the box, I don’t ever use it and don’t need it.
- Can I just remove the outlet, splice the wires together (Black to Black, White to White and ground to ground) and move on?
- Will I need to find the next receptacle in line and install the GFI in it’s location.
- I want to do it the easiest.
Thanks for your help.
This electrical wiring question came from: Bob, a Handyman from Sacramento, California.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Bob.
How to Remove an Outlet from a Kitchen Counter Top or Tiled Wall
Safety Note: While the tile is being installed the outlets and switches are typically unmounted, after the circuits are identified and turned OFF.
Why You Should Keep Electrical Wiring Accessible
- Keep Electrical Wiring Accessible
What I suggest is to have a custom made cover made from your tile or purchase decorative blank cover for the existing outlet box. - Code Compliance
The electrical code states that all electrical boxes must remain accessible, therefore they may not be buried inside of a wall or located in an area that will not be accessible. - Removing an Outlet by Opening the Wall
If the area of the wall have tile installed and you want to remove an outlet then the sheet rock can be removed to provide access so the outlet may be removed and the circuit wiring may be replaced as needed between the power source and branch circuit devices.- NOTE: Kitchen counter top outlets must be located and spaced as required by local and national electrical codes.
Summary: As you can see, access to electrical wiring and junction boxes is the key factor with most electrical wiring projects, especially if a problem should occur with the circuit and the wiring and splices will need to be inspected and tested.
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