Downlighters

creedp

We want to install some polished chrome downlighters and plug sockets and light switches in the kitchen/living area and when I mentioned to builder he said that he will only install plastic fittings initiall, then apply for electricity certification so that heat can be turned on to dry out house. He advised that if metal fittings were installed first the moisture in the plaster/skim would corode the metal fittings resulting in them having to be replaced.

Is this correct? Does this mean I will have to pay for and install all plastic fittings and then throw them away when I subsequetly replace them with the metal fittings? This seems like a terrible waste as for instance Im assuming these plastic downlighters will come with halogen bulbs which will also be discarded as I will be fittings CFLs or LEDS throughout.


Does it also mean you cant install metal fittings in bathrooms as the ongoing moisture in these rooms will corode the fittings?

All view greatly appreciated

Thanks

gman2k

creedp wrote: »

We want to install some polished chrome downlighters and plug sockets and light switches in the kitchen/living area and when I mentioned to builder he said that he will only install plastic fittings initiall, then apply for electricity certification so that heat can be turned on to dry out house. He advised that if metal fittings were installed first the moisture in the plaster/skim would corode the metal fittings resulting in them having to be replaced.

Is this correct? Does this mean I will have to pay for and install all plastic fittings and then throw them away when I subsequetly replace them with the metal fittings? This seems like a terrible waste as for instance Im assuming these plastic downlighters will come with halogen bulbs which will also be discarded as I will be fittings CFLs or LEDS throughout.


Does it also mean you cant install metal fittings in bathrooms as the ongoing moisture in these rooms will corode the fittings?

All view greatly appreciated

Thanks

Never heard the likes of it tbh, maybe a query in the elec forum might get a good response.
Also, you say your builder told you this. What does the actual electrician say?
It goes without saying that if he forces the issue, you should withhold a substantial amount of money to cover the cost of having to get someone else in to buy and replace all the 'plastic' items to the ones you have specced.

Gulliver

I wonder is it a good idea to "force" the building to dry out quickly with the heating? Could lead to cracking of the plaster/skim. As far as I know the second fix electrics usually aren't done until house is dry.

I have seen chrome/nickel etc light fittings in bathrooms and they were not corroded. Maybe there's a more moistureproof version for damp rooms?

fclauson

We had this problem with a house in the UK

When you buy Chrome or Brass fittings they come with a plastic gasket piece which sets between them and the wall

This was missing on ours and we suffered a lot of corrosion

bertie1

creedp wrote: »

We want to install some polished chrome downlighters and plug sockets and light switches in the kitchen/living area and when I mentioned to builder he said that he will only install plastic fittings initiall, then apply for electricity certification so that heat can be turned on to dry out house. He advised that if metal fittings were installed first the moisture in the plaster/skim would corode the metal fittings resulting in them having to be replaced.

Is this correct? Does this mean I will have to pay for and install all plastic fittings and then throw them away when I subsequetly replace them with the metal fittings? This seems like a terrible waste as for instance Im assuming these plastic downlighters will come with halogen bulbs which will also be discarded as I will be fittings CFLs or LEDS throughout.


Does it also mean you cant install metal fittings in bathrooms as the ongoing moisture in these rooms will corode the fittings?

All view greatly appreciated

Thanks

A plastic gasket comes with the chrome fittings ( light switches &sockets) if it is not fitted correctly the switches & sockets will tarnish from the moisture in the plaster.

I have not seen plastic gaskets with the down lighters. These will also tarnish if fitted while the building is still wet.

Metal fittings in the bathroom can also tarnish from condensation build up

Your builder must have got caught with these events, & got caught to replace the fittings hence the reluctance to fit them now.

Moisture from the painting is inclined to do the same thing.

creedp

bertie1 wrote: »

A plastic gasket comes with the chrome fittings ( light switches &sockets) if it is not fitted correctly the switches & sockets will tarnish from the moisture in the plaster.

I have not seen plastic gaskets with the down lighters. These will also tarnish if fitted while the building is still wet.

Metal fittings in the bathroom can also tarnish from condensation build up

Your builder must have got caught with these events, & got caught to replace the fittings hence the reluctance to fit them now.

Moisture from the painting is inclined to do the same thing.

Thanks for advice/comments. Electrician cane in and fitted the cheapest of the cheap plastic fittings throughout house except for downlighters which were capped as don't require light fitting to be installed for electricity cert. When I asked why he went ahead without clearance he replied that that the way he does it and would have no problem refitting the metal fittings downstairs afterwards. My problem was that if he had fitted good quality reasonable looking fittings upstairs I would have left then in place and saved a lot of time and money. The difference between a good plastic fitting and a bargain basement fitting is surely not that significant unless of course he got a consignment of cheap fittings from China and thought he could offload a few onto us and who knows he might get away with it.

I understand from him that is that he did indeed get caught with corroded fittings in the past. However I would wonder as to the quality of the fittings in the first place as anyone I spoke to was of the view that there should be no problem fitting metal fittings at 2nd fix stage.

BryanF

If you are the project manager and client, then it sounds like either your behind on making decisions or you're being ignored. 'extra costs' should be flashing in your head, as you explain your dismay to the main contractor.

creedp

BryanF wrote: »

If you are the project manager and client, then it sounds like either your behind on making decisions or you're being ignored. 'extra costs' should be flashing in your head, as you explain your dismay to the main contractor.

All I can say to this is 'dismay' is a good description of where I find myself at present. My case would also be a good example of a scenario that could be used to educate self-builders on how not to proceed with a self-build. As I have found to my 'dismay' the time where you struck an arrangement with a builder without tying it all up in an extremely well defined legal contract having detailed and costed every aspect of the build has truly been consigned to history!! And indeed 'extra costs' are not just flashing in my head they are flashing before my eyes:mad:

tred

creedp wrote: »

Thanks for advice/comments. Electrician cane in and fitted the cheapest of the cheap plastic fittings throughout house except for downlighters which were capped as don't require light fitting to be installed for electricity cert. When I asked why he went ahead without clearance he replied that that the way he does it and would have no problem refitting the metal fittings downstairs afterwards. My problem was that if he had fitted good quality reasonable looking fittings upstairs I would have left then in place and saved a lot of time and money. The difference between a good plastic fitting and a bargain basement fitting is surely not that significant unless of course he got a consignment of cheap fittings from China and thought he could offload a few onto us and who knows he might get away with it.

I understand from him that is that he did indeed get caught with corroded fittings in the past. However I would wonder as to the quality of the fittings in the first place as anyone I spoke to was of the view that there should be no problem fitting metal fittings at 2nd fix stage.

Were you involved in the selection of any of the fixtures. I supplied all for my Electrician, but it wouldnt have being a problem to go to this guys suppliers and select what you wanted. If it went over his agreed budget and price then you could ahve payed a few more euro. Its not a massive job to change the sockets and plugs after in only kitchen area. wont break the bank if u buy them and he installs them id say