Asked on Sep 05, 2017

Can I remove old phone jack boxes?

Annie
by Annie
I have Verizon Fios phone, TV, internet, etc. There are old phone jacks that are not used that are old and unsightly. I'd like to remove them but recall that they operate in an interconnected fashion. Even Verizon couldn't answer this question! Can I take them out without hurting my land line service?

  9 answers
  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Sep 05, 2017

    Here is an article that might be helpful - https://www.hunker.com/13415235/how-to-remove-a-phone-jack - good luck

    • Annie Annie on Sep 05, 2017

      Thanks so much. I read this and think it's outside my skill set!

  • V Smith V Smith on Sep 05, 2017

    We also get our telephone service from our cable provider. On our setup there is a telephone wire that goes from the modem box to a telephone jack and back-feeds all of the jacks in the house. You need to find out if your jacks are live, try plugging in a phone to see if they work. If they are live perhaps you could just upgrade to better looking jacks. If you are determined to get rid of them it probably will not hurt to cut the wires flush so that none of the copper wires can touch each other. I would give it a couple of days here and hopefully an ol' phone guy will land on you question and send you off in the right direction.

    • Bill Bill on Jan 01, 2021

      I recommend Google Voise. Spent about $80 for a VIP box. All calls US & Canada are free and no monthly fees.

  • Annie Annie on Sep 05, 2017

    Thanks. These jacks are really old. Approx 2.5 x 2.5 square mounted outside the wall or on the baseboard.

  • Susan K Mullins Susan K Mullins on Sep 05, 2017

    No, we have them too.

  • David McIntosh David McIntosh on Sep 05, 2017

    As long as they are disconnected from any power source... I simply ripped them out and patched the holes. They are low voltage so there is no issue with them even living in the wall with the boxs removed.

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Sep 05, 2017

    Sorry, I totally get it. I found another option. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkCXe59YcEg


    May be easier and you could maybe decorate the plate that goes over it with something like this ... http://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=outlet%20plates

  • William William on Sep 05, 2017

    Unscrew the mounting screws on the box. Unscrew the wires coming out of the wall from the terminals. They are low voltage ( like two nine volt batteries) won't hurt you. Tape off each wire with electrical tape so they don't touch each other. Feed the wires into the hole and patch the hole.

  • Annie Annie on Sep 05, 2017

    Thank you, William! This is the kind of answer I was hoping for. One would think Verizon could answer that. Are you sure doing so won't interfere with those jacks I am using?

  • Annie Annie on Sep 11, 2017

    Thanks everyone! Trouble is boxes are drilled into baseboard thats 70 yrs old. Cleaned the up as much as I could. New owner will have to deal with it.