The 2 screw heads in my bathroom light switch are damaged, they are the cross screw type and I need to replace the pull cord.But no screw driver can get a grip because of the damage to tthe screw heads. Any help please. Thanks in advance.

Kerry, July 2008

Before you do anything isolate the electrical supply to the lighting circuit, either remove the fuse or switch off the circuit breaker. You have 3 choices,
1 drill the heads of the screws off, and replace the back box and switch
2 break the switch and replace the back box and switch
3 Get a competant person to do it for you.
LETS FACE IT IF YOU HAD NOT THOUGHT OF OPTIONS 1 AND 2 SHOULD YOU REALY BE DOING THIS YOURSELF?
ELECTRICITY KILLS YOU ONLY HAVE THE ONE LIFE TAKE CARE OF IT.

pete, July 2008

What we'd normally do here is to crack off the plastic top and replace the whole fitting - if the screws really wont budge. If you can duplicate the exact type then you wouldn't have to fiddle with altering wires, etc.

John, July 2008