Is it really necessary to GFCI protect outlets there? Sometimes it feels like overkill, especially when you factor in aesthetics and the cost of those devices.
We just finished building, and honestly, I thought the same thing until our inspector explained a story about a kid knocking over a humidifier in a “dry” room. Never would’ve thought of that. The code feels heavy-handed sometimes, but after hearing that, I get why they’re cautious.
The code feels heavy-handed sometimes, but after hearing that, I get why they’re cautious.
- Totally get the safety angle, but GFCIs everywhere can really mess with the look of a space—especially in a carefully designed room.
- Sometimes, a well-placed cover or matching plate helps, but it’s not quite the same as a clean, standard outlet.
- I wish there was more flexibility for low-risk areas. Not every room has water sources or kids running around.
- Honestly, balancing code with aesthetics is tricky...but I do see both sides.
Honestly, I ran into this exact thing when I finished my basement last year. Inspector wanted GFCIs in spots that felt kind of overkill—like in a storage nook nowhere near water. I get the safety part, but it does mess with the vibe sometimes. Ended up using those screwless plates to help them blend in a bit... still not perfect, but better than the bright white buttons sticking out everywhere.
I get where you're coming from—it can feel like overkill, especially in spots that seem low-risk. But honestly, the code's gotten stricter for a reason. GFCIs aren't just about water anymore; they're a solid defense against wiring faults or accidental shorts, even in places you wouldn't expect. I know it messes with the look, but I'd rather deal with a few extra outlets than risk a fire or shock down the line. The safety margin is worth the tradeoff, at least in my book.
GFCIs aren't just about water anymore; they're a solid defense against wiring faults or accidental shorts, even in places you wouldn't expect.
Yeah, I was surprised too when my builder said GFCIs were going in almost every room. I always thought they were just for bathrooms and kitchens, but apparently now it’s like, garages, basements, even some hallways? I get the safety thing, but it still feels like a lot.
I did some digging because I was worried it would look weird or be a pain to reset if one trips. Turns out, you can put one GFCI at the start of a circuit and then regular outlets downstream are protected. Not sure if that’s always allowed, but it’s what they did in my place. Kind of a relief since I didn’t want those little buttons everywhere.
I guess after seeing some of the horror stories online about old wiring, I’m not as annoyed. Still, part of me misses the days when you could just plug in a lamp and not think twice about it...
