How to fill old light switch hole?

[Quachy]

Hi guys, we had an electrician come through and  remove the old light switches to replace with new ones, we have these holes that need to be filled- any suggestions? I bought foam filler, is this appropriate to use?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Quachy,

You could use foam filler to fill the void behind the switch cutout. However, you need to stop filling just below the surface of the timber and switch to a wood filler. It's easier to use wood filler to establish a suitable finish for painting than a foam filler. Remember not to apply too much foam filler to the hole, as it expands quite a bit. Also, allow the foam filler to fully cure before applying your wood filler to the hole. Once you've filled the hole, sand the filler back so it is flush with the surrounding timber. Prime the filler before painting.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Dave-1]

Helo Quachy

Id be tempted to fill it the same way a large hole in a plasterboard would be. 

Get a thin piece of timber maybe 5mm thick by about 3cm longer then the hole itself.

Put a longish screw through this piece of timber so it kind of looks like a T if held by the top of the screw. (Test to see if the timber piece will fit into the hole by useing the screw as a holding point and slot it in then move it up so both ends of the timber are inside the hole)

Put liquid nails on either end of the timber piece (The same side as the stand off screw) and then slot it into the hole and pull tight by holding onto the head of the screw.

Cut a piece of timber into a rectangle that fits into the hole and then remove the screw (once the liquid nails has gone off) and put a little liquid nails in the middle then place the cut out piece of timber in the hole. I have used a wood putty to fill large holes before, its two compounds mixed together and it has worked well. I just went and had a look but the product I used is not listed 😕 Other wood puttys would work tho.

Dave