On a home inspection the other day, I ran across this electrical outlet cover that I thought was pretty simple but ingenious.

It is a cover plate with just the hot, neutral and ground cut in it instead of the oval holes that exposes the outlet itself. That way if you are painting a room, remodeling or rehabbing a home and have old dingy and dirty outlets that stand out, you don't have to change them. Just replace the cover and you're done. I wrote an article a while back.....http://ezinearticles.com/?Rehabbing-a-Home-That-Has-Aluminum-Wiring----How-to-Cover-Your-Costs-and-Reduce-Liability&id=2095828 on the high costs of replacing outlets on houses with aluminum wiring and this would be a very cost effective altermantive. I did some research and found a company that sells these as well as covers for wall switches.

http://www.azpartsmaster.com/Products/Taymac-Masque-2000W-Decorator-Duplex-Wall-Plate__EA2000W.aspx

Or go to the manufacturer's website at: http://www.taymac.com/

Kent Keith

www.fortworthinspector.com

Fort Worth Home Inspector