Chalking

[Vinniem]

I installed an outdoor GFI yesterday in which the single gang box was recessed in the wall. Had to do some chalking around the cover.

I wasn't really happy with the way I chalked it. I felt I could have done a better job. Looking for tips from the pro's on what you guys to to make a chalk job look professional.

[barbeer]

Are you asking about Caulking and not chalking? I have never used chalk in my time in the trade. If caulk is indeed your query, I believe that the finished surface should be repaired before the cover is caulked. You can do a nice job with a putty knife and some lightweight spackle.

[Vinniem]

Barbeer

I didn't realize that I wrote it down wrong.

I was refering to caulk, The stuff that comes out of a tube.

lokking for tips on how to apply it.

[hillbilly]

If you will wet the tip of your finger before you smear the caulking, it won't stick to your finger.

steve

[barbeer]

Bob knows all! :grin:

http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Applying_Caulk--T761.html

[stickboy1375]

How come you had to use caulk? the gasket usually works fine...

[Dennis Alwon]

How come you had to use caulk? the gasket usually works fine...


Maybe his hole looked like this

http://www.rutledgeblog.com/askrutl/archives/JR-with-hole-in-wall.jpg

[stickboy1375]

Bucket of caulk anyone?

[satcom]

We don't have those problems, we tear out the existing undersized box. and replace it with this ----
http://www.aifittings.com/whnew74_retrofit.htm

[mdshunk]

I often put a line of silicone caulk along the top of weatherproof plates. The foam type gaskets many manufacturers use nowadays seem like they actually wick in water. The harder, tar paper/black cardboard type didn't seem to suffer from this phenomenon.

[Jeff Weissman Electric]

We don't have those problems, we tear out the existing undersized box. and replace it with this ----
http://www.aifittings.com/whnew74_retrofit.htm

Nice...... how much may I ask?

[JES2727]

Nice...... how much may I ask?

Not only how much, but more importantly, where? Do you buy these locally, or do you buy them by mail order/ internet? If you buy them locally, I'd like to know where so I can pick up a few to have on hand.

[stickboy1375]

Any electrical wholesaler should be able to provide them... Do you guys use any arlington products?

[dezwitinc]

Use lots of them.
Especially like the snap on bushings for the ends of conduit when doing low voltage stubs.

[Vinniem]

hey stickboy,

how does that box work for vinyl siding?

[satcom]

hey stickboy,

how does that box work for vinyl siding?

This is the box we use for existing siding http://www.aifittings.com/whnew74_existingvinyl.htm

[tshea]

Those Arlington boxes are the cat's meow. I used 6 of them on my brother's house. His siding is fiberboard. I had to cut all the boxes into the walls except for the front ones. Those were anchored with 6" screws at the same time the mason set the stones in place. The backs (part that) penetrates the wall) were all foamed to stop any air infiltration. I really liked the look of the boxes. My brother then painted the covers to match the siding.

I have not tried those on "old work" construction, yet. Most of our installs are surface mounted.

[Vinniem]

Satcom,

Thanks for the info.

Does anyone know how much they cost?

[satcom]

Satcom,

Thanks for the info.

Does anyone know how much they cost?

The one for vinyl siding is $14 to $17, Price is usually not a concern, when the job comes out looking professional, I must be a rare bird, but I never worry about what the material costs me, I worry more about charging eniough to make a small profit on my material, and cover my material costs.

[stickboy1375]

This is the box we use for existing siding http://www.aifittings.com/whnew74_existingvinyl.htm


I dont know, all the houses I do are wood siding... and I cut in old work boxes...

[satcom]

I dont know, all the houses I do are wood siding... and I cut in old work boxes...

The box will also work on wood siding, make sure you get the proper siding lap size, installing an old work box, for a weather proof cover may not be the best method, to avoid moisture problems, the weather proof covers were not designed for switch boxes.
I found quite a few switch boxes misused for outdoor applications, and they all leached some moisture, or water, which lead to rot problems with devices and boxs.
Another thing to look at is, what if you need to use an in-use cover.

[stickboy1375]

The box will also work on wood siding, make sure you get the proper siding lap size, installing an old work box, for a weather proof cover may not be the best method, to avoid moisture problems, the weather proof covers were not designed for switch boxes.
I found quite a few switch boxes misused for outdoor applications, and they all leached some moisture, or water, which lead to rot problems with devices and boxs.
Another thing to look at is, what if you need to use an in-use cover.


HUH? I use taymac bubble covers, they fit just fine on an old work metal/plastic box, as far as moisture, it's all in the install of the gasket, I personally have never had a problem.

http://www.taymac.com/taymac/multimac/animation-MM.gif

The biggest problem for me I suppose is that I dont get to the job until it is already sided...

[satcom]

HUH? I use taymac bubble covers, they fit just fine on an old work metal/plastic box, as far as moisture, it's all in the install of the gasket, I personally have never had a problem.

http://www.taymac.com/taymac/multimac/animation-MM.gif

The biggest problem for me I suppose is that I dont get to the job until it is already sided...

I understand what you are saying, even intermatic in-use instructions show use of gem box, switch box, or mud ring, and they will fit no question about it, what I am noting, is this type of installation is not the best to avoid moisture, when we get repair calls, and find them rotted out, the customer wants to know why it rotted, when it was only a few years old. There are now better products out there to make a better installation.

The OP said "I installed an outdoor GFI yesterday in which the single gang box was recessed in the wall. Had to do some chalking around the cover."

If the box is flush with the surface, then the gasket will do the job, however if the an old work plastic, or metal box is screwed in to the surface, then the gasket will usually fail allowing moisture to enter the box, as I said before, mis-use of the boxes usually cause the problem.