How to Fix Gaps Behind Wall Plates

Fix those pesky gaps between switch plate covers and the wall.

It's frustrating to be thisclose to finishing a DIY home renovation project only to pop on your switch plates and discover a gap between them and the wall.

It can happen when your electrical box isn't flush with your wall surface (after removing old paneling or tile) or when a bulky electrical device won't sit all the way back in the box (like when upgrading from a duplex receptacle to a GFCI outlet).

See two examples here:

Yikes!

Finding the best solution depends on 2 things:

1. SIZE of the gap behind your cover
2. TYPE of cover (based on where the screw holes are positioned)

#1 - Measure Gap

Use a ruler to determine the size of the gap. This is easiest with a cover installed. But, you can also measure the distance from the wall to the top of the device's mounting screw.

#2 - Determine Type of Cover

Toggle switch covers, duplex outlet covers, rocker plates and blank plates mount in different spots. This will affect which solution is right for your particular situation.

Solutions below are broken up by these types of covers:

1. strap mount - for rocker shaped devices
2. device mount OR center mount - toggle and duplex have same solutions
3. box mount - for empty boxes

Best Solutions for Gaps Behind Wall Plates:

Plates with "strap mount" screw spacing have screws spaced 3-13/16" apart.

Strap mount devices include:

• Decora rocker switches
• Rocker dimmers
• Block outlets
• GFCI outlets
• Rocker-shaped inserts (like the cable jack shown far right above)

1/16"

For very small gaps, you'll need to combine a couple items to get the perfect fit:

• a spacer
• a deep rocker plate

Since deep plates cover larger gaps than 1/16", you can use the spacer underneath your device to lift it up. This will create a 1/8" gap between your standard cover and the wall, which is the perfect fit for the deep cover.

1/8"

You have two options for 1/8" gaps:

• buy a deep rocker cover (limited sizes/configurations)
• add a gap filler ring behind your regular cover (larger gangs available)

1/4"

The three options for filling up .25" behind your cover plate are:

• add a deep gap filler ring under your old cover
• get a deep plate and place a 1/8" gap ring behind it
• use a 6197 box extender under your plate (1-gang only)

3/8"

Fill this gap with:

• a deep wall plate and a 1/4" ring
• a standard cover and two stacked 1/8" rings

1/2"

For really large gaps:

• get extra deep rocker switch covers
• stack a deep rocker cover on top of a 1/8" gap ring and a 1/4" gap ring
• stack two 1/4" rings behind your standard cover

For devices with screw holes in either of the above 2 positions (device mount like the toggle and round outlet or center mount like a duplex plug or horizontal toggle switch), see solutions below.

Plates with "device mount" screw spacing have screws spaced 2-3/8" apart.

1/16"

Deep plates are the solution for a 1/6" gap. Shop:

• deep toggle wall plates
• deep duplex covers
• deep round outlet plates

1/8"

With standard size covers, you can add 1/8" gap filler rings underneath to fix the problem.

Get sizes for 1-gang up to 5-gang covers:

• 1-Gang Rings
• 2-Gang Rings
• 3-Gang Rings
• 4-Gang Rings
• 5-Gang Rings

3/16"

stack a deep plate over a 1/8" ring

1/4"

Spaces of .75" can be filled 1 of 2 ways:

• add a ring behind your cover
• add a box extender under your cover

5/16"

Stack a deep plate over a 1/4" ring.

1/2"
Extra deep covers each back .5" to the wall:

• extra deep toggle covers
• extra deep covers for round outlets
• extra deep duplex receptacle covers  

"Box mount" screw holes will be 3-9/32" apart.

1/16"

If your electrical box is sticking out of the wall by only 1/16", a standard blank cover won't have a gap behind it.

1/8"

If the box is sticking out of the wall by 1/8", a standard cover for empty boxes should still be fine.

1/4"

Fix this gap with a deep blank cover.

1/2"

The best solution for a half-inch gap is an extra deep blank electrical box cover.

DIY Solutions for Homeowners

As shown above, there are a variety of options for fixing light switches & electrical outlets that stick out.

Shop all deep covers to find the solution for you.

Just remember that sometimes a single plate will fix the issue, but other times you may have to stack 1 or more items to get the perfect depth filled.