Any plumbers out there? Advice required.
 

Hello.

We've just had a new kitchen fitted and the workman has put a double electric socket in the cupboard under the sink on the floor, facing upwards.

Guess what - we noticed a leak last night dripping very close to the socket.

Very worrying. Is it legal to fit electrics under a sink? Any advice welcome.

Thank you.

Re: Any plumbers out there? Advice required.
 

Don't think so, there's one under my sink, although mine is vertical not horizontal, which is just plain daft

Re: Any plumbers out there? Advice required.
 

As a builder who does tons of kitchens and bathrooms, a lot of kitchen fitters do this, I'm not one of them, its asking for trouble IMO.

All the big companies find this acceptable, but a socket facing up is worse obviously.

I believe any electrical socket or switch has to be at least 5-600mm from the sink but that applies to above worktop ones I think, should be less below.

Re: Any plumbers out there? Advice required.
 

I'd ask 'em to shift it. I had one under my sink when I moved in and immediately noticed it was soaked, all the time. Didn't seem like a good idea so moved it.

Re: Any plumbers out there? Advice required.
 

Yeah legal, but hardly the best place, see if you can get it moved to the next cupboard along, or removed completely if not required.

I'm unfortunately a sparky and pretty sure there are no regs on this... However your house should be protected by an RCD if the electrician installed it in a place like that.

I think the only regulation with regards to a socket around the sink area in a kitchen is in the building regs, something like 200-300mm from the sink. Not 100% sure but have a feeling that is above the Worktop, not below.


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Re: Any plumbers out there? Advice required.
 

It's not best practice even if legal. Ask him what the benefits are. If you have to undo the waste you will get spillage. Very lazy installation.

+1


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Re: Any plumbers out there? Advice required.
 

I would think the only reason to install anything in the cupboard below the sink would be to power a waste disposal unit. But why do it if there aint one?

And if there was I would have done it off a fused spur.

Re: Any plumbers out there? Advice required.
 

+1 We didn't have this kitchen fitted, but there's a socket under our sink.

No reason for it, as the dishwasher & washing machine have their power socket under the counter top away from any water.

Plenty of other sockets in our tiny kitchen so no need for this