I compiled a list of electrical items I needed to install the switch for the pendant lights and to change all the outlets and switches in the kitchen and the dinette from the ivory to white. I thought white would look so much nicer against the new backsplash than the ugly ivory ones.
After multiple trips to the big box home improvement stores getting my supplies to install a switch for the pendant lights, I was finally ready. There was a looming leaking shutoff valve for the washer that needed to be fixed, but I committed to doing the electrical first. I wanted the switch and pendants installed before the new countertops were installed, so I did not need to sit, kneel or stand on them. That is all I needed was to crack the countertop with my fat butt on it.
I got up early that day, because I could not fall back asleep just thinking of this project, (and the leaky water valve.) So, I got out of bed and headed for the kitchen. I did not want to disturb Efiwym, my wife, as I could not use any power tools.
My first step was to verify I could run wire through the ceiling joists where the pendant lights would be. I could verify this by looking through the drop ceiling above the upper cabinet. I originally opened up the bottom of the drop ceiling in the cabinet to fix our master bath shower drain. I replaced the drywall with plywood, so I would have access if I ever needed it. I first needed to remove all the cups, glasses and other liquid-holding vehicles from the cabinet. I put everything in three boxes and removed the two shelves. I removed the plywood panel to take a look inside the drop ceiling. I looked, then I reached to see if I had access.
I proceeded to use my wire running kit to see if there was not any blockage between the ceiling joists. As I screwed on piece after piece, it was apparent the space was clear. Step one was complete. Now I need to remove the electrical box to run the wire to the pendants.
The present electrical box was a double gang box for an outlet and the switch for the dishwasher. I needed to add another switch for the pendant lights. I wanted to still use a double gang box, so that is why a bought two switch/outlet combinations. One switch for the dishwasher, the other for the lights.
Yes, I could have gone with a triple gang box. And, in retrospect, that was a choice I should have made. Nonetheless, I was committed to this box.
First, I went downstairs and turned off the circuit breakers. There were two “kitchen” breakers, and, of course, I turned off the wrong one. Back downstairs, I went. I made a cursory check for power, by pushing the start button on the dishwasher and plugging in a spotlight into the outlets. Okay, the power was off.
I removed the cover and pulled out the switch and the outlet. There were a lot of wires in this box. A lot of wires! As a good DIYer, I got out my phone a took multiple pictures of the wiring layout. “The red wire is for the dishwasher,” is what I only remembered. The switch just had two wires. Red on top, black on the bottom. That was easy. The outlet had black wires everywhere. Some were connected to the side, and some were connected to the back. There were five white wires held together by this huge wire nut. All the ground wires were also wired fastened together. I removed multiple wires from the outlet and pulled out these huge bundles of white and copper wires. I got all the wires separated and I was ready to remove the box.
I heard Efwym move about upstairs, so I could get out the power tools. I used my reciprocating saw to cut the nails holding the electrical box. I got that tip from watching a YouTube® video. That loosened the box up, but something was holding it up. Was it the wires? I yanked at it again. I turned my flashlight app on my phone to look between the drywall and box. There was definitely a tab or something on the box that was hitting the back of the drywall. I was hesitant to run my reciprocating saw to cut off the piece on the box. I did not want to cut the wires, but I tried, and I was not successful.
So, I just used brut force and tore the box out. Well, the box came out along with two chunks of drywall on the top and bottom of the hole. Well, That was not supposed to happen. I screwed up any chance of using the retrofit box I purchased. The tabs to hold the box in place now had no drywall to grip the box. I would need to find an alternative.
For now, I wanted to get the box out and run the wire to the ceiling. After playing around with the plastic molded pieces that held the wires in place, I was able to pull all the wires out of the box. I saw the culprit that was preventing me from getting the box out. It was the piece of the box that held the nail. Oops!
I cleaned up and put some tools away I no longer needed and started the process of running the wire for the pendants. I saw two Romex wires running through some blocking in the dropped ceiling, but the openings were too small to run the wire through. I would just drill a new hole for the wire. And that is what I did. However, the hole was not large enough to easily run the wire from the top. So, with my Milwaukee® oscillating tool I cut open a large opening.
Since this was an outside wall, there was insulation in the stud bay. I was not worried that the insulation would prevent me from running the wire. I now could run my wire running kit through the hole, but I kept hitting something in the stud bay. I tried running the wire running kit from the box hole and I was able to get to the other opening without any blockage. It does not make sense, but who cares.
I attached the wire to the wire running kit and pulled it down the stud bay one section of the wire running kit at a time. I got the wire through the stud bay and out the box hole. I then pushed the rest of the wire through the ceiling joist bay. I think I pushed it far enough that I would be able to reach it once I cut open the holes for the ceiling boxes. The wire was run, now it was time to install the box only after I found and bought an alternative to the retrofit box I could not use.
Efiwym, my wife, and I needed to do our weekly grocery shopping, so time to take a break and find me an electrical box.