Got a stubborn old outlet to work by using a heat gun on the back of the box

Had a 1950s house with a dead outlet that wouldn't hold a plug. The old metal box was so tight and warped, nothing would seat. Instead of cutting the wall open, I gently warmed the back of the metal box with my heat gun for about 30 seconds. It expanded just enough to let me push the new receptacle in cleanly. Anyone else have a trick for old, stubborn boxes?

2 comments

2 Comments

walker.alex1mo ago

Heat guns are the duct tape of the electrical world.

charles_wilson1mo ago

walker.alex, you've clearly never seen the melted outlet I fixed last week.