Old Work Box for Vanity Light?












1















So I went to go change my bathroom vanity light today and discovered that it simply had the wiring coming through a hole in the wall and the previous vanity was literally just screwed into the wall with 2 screws.



Went to the local home improvement store and the employees guided me to some old work boxes that look like this:



https://imgur.com/a/ZrRgAmC



So I get it installed, but it had me wondering...is this safe? I mean the vanity light isn't THAT heavy (I weighed it at around 3 lbs). I do not have a stud nearby (that I can see anyways) (nor would it matter because I would need to have access behind it anyways), and I really don't want to be tearing out an entire wall ideally)



Is this ok? I looked at various guides on changing or adding vanity lights and most seem to use these boxes (Which "seem" to be rated for 6 lb's, and only mention NOT to use them for ceilings).










share|improve this question



























    1















    So I went to go change my bathroom vanity light today and discovered that it simply had the wiring coming through a hole in the wall and the previous vanity was literally just screwed into the wall with 2 screws.



    Went to the local home improvement store and the employees guided me to some old work boxes that look like this:



    https://imgur.com/a/ZrRgAmC



    So I get it installed, but it had me wondering...is this safe? I mean the vanity light isn't THAT heavy (I weighed it at around 3 lbs). I do not have a stud nearby (that I can see anyways) (nor would it matter because I would need to have access behind it anyways), and I really don't want to be tearing out an entire wall ideally)



    Is this ok? I looked at various guides on changing or adding vanity lights and most seem to use these boxes (Which "seem" to be rated for 6 lb's, and only mention NOT to use them for ceilings).










    share|improve this question

























      1












      1








      1








      So I went to go change my bathroom vanity light today and discovered that it simply had the wiring coming through a hole in the wall and the previous vanity was literally just screwed into the wall with 2 screws.



      Went to the local home improvement store and the employees guided me to some old work boxes that look like this:



      https://imgur.com/a/ZrRgAmC



      So I get it installed, but it had me wondering...is this safe? I mean the vanity light isn't THAT heavy (I weighed it at around 3 lbs). I do not have a stud nearby (that I can see anyways) (nor would it matter because I would need to have access behind it anyways), and I really don't want to be tearing out an entire wall ideally)



      Is this ok? I looked at various guides on changing or adding vanity lights and most seem to use these boxes (Which "seem" to be rated for 6 lb's, and only mention NOT to use them for ceilings).










      share|improve this question














      So I went to go change my bathroom vanity light today and discovered that it simply had the wiring coming through a hole in the wall and the previous vanity was literally just screwed into the wall with 2 screws.



      Went to the local home improvement store and the employees guided me to some old work boxes that look like this:



      https://imgur.com/a/ZrRgAmC



      So I get it installed, but it had me wondering...is this safe? I mean the vanity light isn't THAT heavy (I weighed it at around 3 lbs). I do not have a stud nearby (that I can see anyways) (nor would it matter because I would need to have access behind it anyways), and I really don't want to be tearing out an entire wall ideally)



      Is this ok? I looked at various guides on changing or adding vanity lights and most seem to use these boxes (Which "seem" to be rated for 6 lb's, and only mention NOT to use them for ceilings).







      electrical old-work






      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question











      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question










      asked 1 hour ago









      msmith1114msmith1114

      172110




      172110






















          2 Answers
          2






          active

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          2














          Yes, an old work box is completely safe for what you're using it for. Just make sure the dogs are snug against the drywall.






          share|improve this answer
























          • Thanks, I mean it's not on the ceiling so really it would require the drywall to completely fail. I mean considering the last light was basically held to the wall by 2 screws I figure it can't be any worse than that!

            – msmith1114
            1 hour ago






          • 1





            It's actually better off in a box than anchored to the drywall with screws. I run in to the same situation almost weekly. Lol

            – BillWeckel
            1 hour ago











          • Better off compared to what? just 2 screws? What I had before was one of these "cheap" lights: lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-4-Light-24-05-in-Vanity-Light/…

            – msmith1114
            1 hour ago











          • Yes, just being attached with 2 screws to the drywall.

            – BillWeckel
            1 hour ago



















          0














          I've used lots of old-work boxes of various designs and love them. When you have a heavy fixture, you need one that will support the weight (by being secured to studs or joists), but your vanity light is.... well, light.






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Solz is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.




















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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes








            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            2














            Yes, an old work box is completely safe for what you're using it for. Just make sure the dogs are snug against the drywall.






            share|improve this answer
























            • Thanks, I mean it's not on the ceiling so really it would require the drywall to completely fail. I mean considering the last light was basically held to the wall by 2 screws I figure it can't be any worse than that!

              – msmith1114
              1 hour ago






            • 1





              It's actually better off in a box than anchored to the drywall with screws. I run in to the same situation almost weekly. Lol

              – BillWeckel
              1 hour ago











            • Better off compared to what? just 2 screws? What I had before was one of these "cheap" lights: lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-4-Light-24-05-in-Vanity-Light/…

              – msmith1114
              1 hour ago











            • Yes, just being attached with 2 screws to the drywall.

              – BillWeckel
              1 hour ago
















            2














            Yes, an old work box is completely safe for what you're using it for. Just make sure the dogs are snug against the drywall.






            share|improve this answer
























            • Thanks, I mean it's not on the ceiling so really it would require the drywall to completely fail. I mean considering the last light was basically held to the wall by 2 screws I figure it can't be any worse than that!

              – msmith1114
              1 hour ago






            • 1





              It's actually better off in a box than anchored to the drywall with screws. I run in to the same situation almost weekly. Lol

              – BillWeckel
              1 hour ago











            • Better off compared to what? just 2 screws? What I had before was one of these "cheap" lights: lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-4-Light-24-05-in-Vanity-Light/…

              – msmith1114
              1 hour ago











            • Yes, just being attached with 2 screws to the drywall.

              – BillWeckel
              1 hour ago














            2












            2








            2







            Yes, an old work box is completely safe for what you're using it for. Just make sure the dogs are snug against the drywall.






            share|improve this answer













            Yes, an old work box is completely safe for what you're using it for. Just make sure the dogs are snug against the drywall.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 1 hour ago









            BillWeckelBillWeckel

            1,11218




            1,11218













            • Thanks, I mean it's not on the ceiling so really it would require the drywall to completely fail. I mean considering the last light was basically held to the wall by 2 screws I figure it can't be any worse than that!

              – msmith1114
              1 hour ago






            • 1





              It's actually better off in a box than anchored to the drywall with screws. I run in to the same situation almost weekly. Lol

              – BillWeckel
              1 hour ago











            • Better off compared to what? just 2 screws? What I had before was one of these "cheap" lights: lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-4-Light-24-05-in-Vanity-Light/…

              – msmith1114
              1 hour ago











            • Yes, just being attached with 2 screws to the drywall.

              – BillWeckel
              1 hour ago



















            • Thanks, I mean it's not on the ceiling so really it would require the drywall to completely fail. I mean considering the last light was basically held to the wall by 2 screws I figure it can't be any worse than that!

              – msmith1114
              1 hour ago






            • 1





              It's actually better off in a box than anchored to the drywall with screws. I run in to the same situation almost weekly. Lol

              – BillWeckel
              1 hour ago











            • Better off compared to what? just 2 screws? What I had before was one of these "cheap" lights: lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-4-Light-24-05-in-Vanity-Light/…

              – msmith1114
              1 hour ago











            • Yes, just being attached with 2 screws to the drywall.

              – BillWeckel
              1 hour ago

















            Thanks, I mean it's not on the ceiling so really it would require the drywall to completely fail. I mean considering the last light was basically held to the wall by 2 screws I figure it can't be any worse than that!

            – msmith1114
            1 hour ago





            Thanks, I mean it's not on the ceiling so really it would require the drywall to completely fail. I mean considering the last light was basically held to the wall by 2 screws I figure it can't be any worse than that!

            – msmith1114
            1 hour ago




            1




            1





            It's actually better off in a box than anchored to the drywall with screws. I run in to the same situation almost weekly. Lol

            – BillWeckel
            1 hour ago





            It's actually better off in a box than anchored to the drywall with screws. I run in to the same situation almost weekly. Lol

            – BillWeckel
            1 hour ago













            Better off compared to what? just 2 screws? What I had before was one of these "cheap" lights: lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-4-Light-24-05-in-Vanity-Light/…

            – msmith1114
            1 hour ago





            Better off compared to what? just 2 screws? What I had before was one of these "cheap" lights: lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-4-Light-24-05-in-Vanity-Light/…

            – msmith1114
            1 hour ago













            Yes, just being attached with 2 screws to the drywall.

            – BillWeckel
            1 hour ago





            Yes, just being attached with 2 screws to the drywall.

            – BillWeckel
            1 hour ago













            0














            I've used lots of old-work boxes of various designs and love them. When you have a heavy fixture, you need one that will support the weight (by being secured to studs or joists), but your vanity light is.... well, light.






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            Solz is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.

























              0














              I've used lots of old-work boxes of various designs and love them. When you have a heavy fixture, you need one that will support the weight (by being secured to studs or joists), but your vanity light is.... well, light.






              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              Solz is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.























                0












                0








                0







                I've used lots of old-work boxes of various designs and love them. When you have a heavy fixture, you need one that will support the weight (by being secured to studs or joists), but your vanity light is.... well, light.






                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




                Solz is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.










                I've used lots of old-work boxes of various designs and love them. When you have a heavy fixture, you need one that will support the weight (by being secured to studs or joists), but your vanity light is.... well, light.







                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




                Solz is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.









                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer






                New contributor




                Solz is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.









                answered 35 mins ago









                SolzSolz

                11




                11




                New contributor




                Solz is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.





                New contributor





                Solz is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.






                Solz is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.






























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