Stop painting outlet covers shut - that's not how fire safety works

I was at my buddy's place last week helping him replace some old outlets. Every single cover in his living room was painted over and glued to the wall with years of latex. It took me 45 minutes just to get the first one off without cracking the drywall. People think sealing them up looks cleaner but it actually traps heat and makes it way harder to flip a breaker if something shorts. Have any of you dealt with painted-over covers that were basically welded on?

2 comments

2 Comments

hernandez.finley1mo ago

Can't BELIEVE people actually paint over outlet covers like that, that's a total fire hazard waiting to happen.

bettyfox1mo ago

Wait, you're telling me that coat of glossy white paint isn't actually covering up a tiny electrical fire waiting to happen? (I mean, it's fine, it's fine, I'm sure the sparking is just... decorative.)