First thanks for the replies I've received thus far. First the good thing is the utility room has no ceiling and I can get behind the wall and the ceiling is open so I can pretty much run the wires where I need to go. Under the floor won't be an issue since the floor is concrete and I didn't mention this is in the basement. grin. In any case I like the idea of fishing with the magnet and that may help, but no concerns about pipes. Just going to do a little more digging and TOm, you are correct the stud could be trimmed to make room for the switch. I am definitely going with the double switch in a single switch package, which will fit into a smaller space.
Thanks, On Sep 10, 2009, at 6:30 PM, Bob Kennedy wrote: > I think if you start messing, code will require you replace the > outlet with a GFI in a bathroom. I don't believe there is a code for > how far from a door edge a switch can be placed, just how far above > the floor. If you are seeing an open place 3 to 5 inches from the > trim on the door, I don't think that would be a problem. Getting too > close to the trim might cause a problem with the covers fitting. > > The biggest problem is going to be how to run the wires over to that > side of the door. Can you run them under the floor or do you have to > go over the door opening? Over the door will mean going through a > few studs to get there. Your wife will love all these new holes in > the walls. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Scott Howell > To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 5:30 PM > Subject: [BlindHandyMan] installing a new light switch in a bathroom > > Folks, I'm actually moving a switch from behind the door of the > bathroom to just inside the door where it really should be. How anyone > could have done such a silly thing is beyond me. Ok, so forget all the > reasons, but I know why they installed it behind the door and it > really comes down to not having either planned well or something > prevented them from installing inside the door. Admittedly, it was > easy to install I'm sure cause you can get to the wiring etc. from > inside the utility room and they didn't even have to run through the > beams, they just went around them. > So, here is the issue and question. I made two small test holes and > found there appears to be a stud about 3 to 5 inches or so from the > door frame, which is kind of curious. I stuffed a coat hanger in there > and tried to fish around to get some idea of space, but I swear I'm > hitting more than a stud but short of cutting the wall open, I have no > idea what the hell is in there and that may be just what I do. So, > lets say for the sake of argument that I can't get a single gang box > in there, how far from the edge of the doorframe can you place a > switch? The question is twofold in that of course I need to check > local code assuming there is one, but also I wouldn't want it to look > funny either. Of course I could just leave well enough alone and the > switches stay behind the door. Actually, what I have behind the door > is the switches for the light and fan, a non-GFI outlet in a > completely separate box, and finally a junction box with a blank plate > that houses the amazing mess of wires that makes the whole thing work. > Just to show how weird the whole thing is, I got someone to help > install a three-way switch arrangement in the full-bath upstairs > because the fan and light switches were not inside the door as you'd > thing, but the builder put the switches on the wall the door opens > against, which also has a door into the master bedroom. Any thoughts > are appreciated. > I guess I could always move. :) Well not yet, I think I'll have the > next one built. :) > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
