Jump to content

Possibly very dumb house electrical question


Recommended Posts

Posted

Full disclosure, I'm a full on AC voltage nope-er.  I can do simple things (hang a light fixture, change an outlet) but thats about it.  The light switch in our main bathroom squeaks when you flip it on.  It bugs me to no end.  Works just fine except for the highly annoying sound of something that seems like its desperately crying out for a shot of some kind of lube.  Would I end up burning my house down and killing a bus load of kindergarten nuns if I gave the flipper thingy a TINY shot of silicone spray (or whatever else)?  I could just replace the whole thing with a new one, but the cheap side of me hasn't fully accepted that option just yet. :laugh:

Posted
19 minutes ago, derf said:

You're going to have to swap out the main panel and rewire the whole house.

Dude, no bull$#!& I called a plumber to see how much it would cost to drop in a gas line for a stove and he came back with his estimate and said I had to replumb the whole house. Now mind you I just had the place inspected and it was only built in 96.

 

I just smiled and said no.

Posted
1 hour ago, Car Enthusiast said:

Dude, no bull$#!& I called a plumber to see how much it would cost to drop in a gas line for a stove and he came back with his estimate and said I had to replumb the whole house. Now mind you I just had the place inspected and it was only built in 96.

 

I just smiled and said no.

a bunch of @#$%in charlatans

Posted
3 hours ago, mjeff87 said:

Full disclosure, I'm a full on AC voltage nope-er. 

I think I'm gonna have to borrow this for later use :laugh:

Posted

The sound you are hearing is not arcing?  A frying noise?  Lights don't flicker briefly?   If yes to any of those, check for a loose wire to the switch or a loose wire nut in the box.  The lube will cost you more than a new switch.

Posted

I just bought a few switches last week. Lowe’s has them starting at around .69. Decent ones are about a buck and a half. Splurge for the better quality ones. They cost less than a slurpee. 

Posted

dimmable switches are pricey. i have installed many switches but at home and what i use are the $5 box of ten. as i hate it when switches do not match and have just been painted over. :fistshake2: 

Posted
18 hours ago, Manche757 said:

The sound you are hearing is not arcing?  A frying noise?  Lights don't flicker briefly?   If yes to any of those, check for a loose wire to the switch or a loose wire nut in the box.  The lube will cost you more than a new switch.

 

No, it's the plastic switch itself.  If I gently push the switch to the left while flipping it up it's silent.  Also doesn't make any squeak when you switch it off.  Like I said it works just fine other than the annoying squeak it makes flipping it on.

 

I'm off to Home Despot after work today, they have that spray in stock (or so their website says, anyway.....).

 

Posted
27 minutes ago, mjeff87 said:

 

No, it's the plastic switch itself.  If I gently push the switch to the left while flipping it up it's silent.  Also doesn't make any squeak when you switch it off.  Like I said it works just fine other than the annoying squeak it makes flipping it on.

 

I'm off to Home Despot after work today, they have that spray in stock (or so their website says, anyway.....).

 

It's right by the wire nuts and stuff, bottom/floor shelf.

Posted

Is it squeaking internally to the switch, or is it possibly just rubbing the faceplate? Follow up question being whether the switch or the faceplate could get adjusted so as not to rub?

Posted

Update...the spray stuff worked like a charm.:applause:. Ill probably go the whole way around the house and give every switch a tiny spurt now, since I bought a whole can for $1.99.  Just some good old PM. :L:

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...