Meddling customers (and others)...

[user 6351]

In another (completely unrelated) post, Mr Steptoe mentioned making sure that accessory screws were lined up nicely on the horizontal plane...

Now, it may be just my OCD, but I always do this for two reasons:

1) I think that it looks far neater and

2) I can tell more easily if the customer/plasterer/decorator has had an accessory off the wall and potentially fiddled with something.

But, I was thinking again about people messing with stuff they shouldn't and causing me repeat callouts - e.g. the 2-way switching was working perfectly when I left, but the customer had problems and got me back out.

The wiring was all to pot in the secondary switch and I'm convinced that it wasn't my doing. Another clue was the "oh, while you're here, can you just fit this fancy new metal plate switch that I've bought", although he swore blind he definitely hadn't tried a DIY job!!

So, the question is, does anyone have any little tips for preventing these situations? (it's okay when you have something that you can apply a seal to, but this doesn't work for switches/sockets unless you use a dab of superglue!!)

 

[fletchflash]

If you get one of those situations say something!

Without being offensive tell them you know someones been messing with it. Theres no possible way wires could jump out and swap holes!

If there a good customer, as long as they admitted fiddling then do the jo for free. If not you should charge, dont let people take you for a mugg or they'll have you back again when they try to change the light fitting and mess up with the loop wiring.

 

[kme]

Albert`s comment relates to a well-discussed audio salesman / shyster; who recommends lining the screw heads up to increase sound quality - and if you cann get all the screws in the same plane; and facing north-south with their slots, it can affect the sound( :slap ) - utter male cow poo, TBH

I`d agree with fletch - you can`t stop `em, cos it is THEIR installation, not yours. If you are convinced it has beed meddled with, say so.

 

[user 6351]

Indeed, I did realise that Mr Steps was referring to excremental claims, but it triggered a thought process on quite a tangent!

I did ask the chap in question straight out if he had been attempting to change the switch himself and he swore blind that he hadn't. I wasn't convinced, but since it had been a PITA of a job, I was happy (ish) just to set it straight and draw a line under the whole thing...

I was more curious though as to whether anyone took measures to cover their behinds. I know some people take photos of their completed work for example, but that isn't always feasible.

 

[Megaohm7]

If I've fitted new switches for someone I will always demonstrate them working as they should. Conductors don't usually swap connections do they. A switch can fail of course but then you'd know if the wiring was as you left it. It's human nature that people will try it on

 

[Evans Electric]

We had an architect spec'd job once that insisted on the screw slots left north /south to "prevent dirt settling in the horizontal slots"

I must say, Jabber, that if I ever start worrying about screw slots being vertical , my M8 has written instructions to shoot me in the head.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

We had an architect spec'd job once that insisted on the screw slots left north /south to "prevent dirt settling in the horizontal slots" I must say, Jabber, that if I ever start worrying about screw slots being vertical , my M8 has written instructions to shoot me in the head.

If you look at the work of any true tradesperson who takes a pride in their work, screwheads will always be lined up

 

[steptoe]

well, I do disagree wholeheartedlky with this lining up screws debate,

and I await an arguement to follow,

I had this recently with a COW who asked for all screws to be lined up, and this is more or less exactly what I said,

" Do you want the screws overtightened or left loose?

In their current position they are to the best of my knowledge in the optimum position for holding the accessory in place and at the correct torque,

just I need to know so that if the switches move or get broke someone is going to pay me to come back and re-place them and tighten them up to the correct torque the next time "

He walked away...........

 

[jameseye12]

well, I do disagree wholeheartedlky with this lining up screws debate,and I await an arguement to follow,

I had this recently with a COW who asked for all screws to be lined up, and this is more or less exactly what I said,

" Do you want the screws overtightened or left loose?

In their current position they are to the best of my knowledge in the optimum position for holding the accessory in place and at the correct torque,

just I need to know so that if the switches move or get broke someone is going to pay me to come back and re-place them and tighten them up to the correct torque the next time "

He walked away...........

I thought cows said Moo, I've never met one of them talking models before, must be one of them new fangled 17th edition ones!!!!

 

[Evans Electric]

If you look at the work of any true tradesperson who takes a pride in their work, screwheads will always be lined up

What ! even the Pozidrives.

Do you think hexagon bolts should have the spirit level applied to get one of the flats dead level?

I have a mate who spends a great deal of his life one these sort of things , hes a sparks by trade but also does plumbing and decorating .

He does a really great job of decorating , he papered a room once then due to the slightest imperfection in the pattern ( which no one could see but him) he fetched the lot off the next day . Customer was gutted ,they wanted it finished! Then he spend hours arguing with the suppliers .

The upshot is , he doesn't earn much money and customers don't have him back because he's criticising the plumbing when he should be painting etc.

And don't get me started on how many coats of paint go on , just doesn't know when to stop . He's a great guy but the more he strives for perfection , the less he earns.

 

[fletchflash]

Anyone ever cracked the lugs off a plastic backbox in search of the perfect 0/180 degree screw?

me

 

[user 6351]

Anyone ever cracked the lugs off a plastic backbox in search of the perfect 0/180 degree screw?me

Yes, me too - in my endless quest for horizontal screws! I thought exactly this when I read Steps comment about torque, but you beat me too it!

 

[revjames]

I always stuff a small rodent (gerbils are quite good but you need a baby one) in the backbox. If the accessory is removed the rodent seizes the opportunity for freedom and darts off. No good if its conduit tho as they can climb up it to freedom using the singles as a rope. If theres no small furry creature there when you open up its a sure sign someones been in there.

 

[Badger]

I always stuff a small rodent (gerbils are quite good but you need a baby one) in the backbox. If the accessory is removed the rodent seizes the opportunity for freedom and darts off. No good if its conduit tho as they can climb up it to freedom using the singles as a rope. If theres no small furry creature there when you open up its a sure sign someones been in there.

cruel ****** :coat

 

[monkey5]

yep, but now do vertical screw heads on metal back boxes and horizontial on plastic.on plastic back boxes the screw is too loose on almost last vertical then too tight (crack - oh ******) on next turn so stop on the horizontal.

wayne

me

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

well, I do disagree wholeheartedlky with this lining up screws debate,and I await an arguement to follow,

I had this recently with a COW who asked for all screws to be lined up, and this is more or less exactly what I said,

" Do you want the screws overtightened or left loose?

In their current position they are to the best of my knowledge in the optimum position for holding the accessory in place and at the correct torque,

just I need to know so that if the switches move or get broke someone is going to pay me to come back and re-place them and tighten them up to the correct torque the next time "

He walked away...........

Both you and i know that's king size bull s**t, Manufacturers dont give torque setting for the plate screws, and even if they did i bet you have never used a torque wrench/driver in that situation. Anyhow, horses for courses good luck to however anyone wishes to finish a job, if it takes me longer so less profit then i am happy with it

 

[lilman]

I will own up to lining up screw threads - I only line them up with each other on an accessory though; not the same plane throughout an install!

 

[steptoe]

all screws have a torque dependant on their size, and this torque should be adhered to in remiss of any manufacturers setting.

but the point I was making was that as tradespeople we 'should' know just how tight is tight enough, then stop and walk away.

I have no problems with anyone that wishes to line up the screw heads, I just dont see how you can get every screw at the optimum tightness using this method.

 

[kerching]

I always stuff a small rodent (gerbils are quite good but you need a baby one) in the backbox. If the accessory is removed the rodent seizes the opportunity for freedom and darts off. No good if its conduit tho as they can climb up it to freedom using the singles as a rope. If theres no small furry creature there when you open up its a sure sign someones been in there.

And that from a Man of the Cloth! Mind you I was over in 'That Wales' doing missionary work today......

My security method is to fill the backbox with 'invisible smoke', when somebody meddles the smoke invariably becomes visible, escapes and then the circuit does not work.... :coat

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 22:38 ---------- Previous post was made at 22:33 ----------

What ! even the Pozidrives.Do you think hexagon bolts should have the spirit level applied to get one of the flats dead level?

Shows how little you know then......on hex heads the flats are on the vertical side with the 'Apex' or 'pointy-bit' as we professionals call it, at the top. That way any spare electrons will fall off the apex and not congregate like seagulls on a $hithouse roof. Vertical bolts will require a differing methodology.... :coat

 

[Badger]

your all talking b !! K $ if you ask me :slap