How to seal off space around large cable that goes outside
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2012
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How to seal off space around large cable that goes outside
There is a space around a cable that goes from the fuse box inside to the meter outside. The space around the cable is big enough I can see all the way through to outside, but just enough to see the light. What can I fill this in with so nothing gets in? Can I just bunch up a bunch of plastic sheeting and stuff in there until it is full?
#3
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Great Stuff or another brand of spray foam would be my choice. It will expand to fill all the nooks and crannies and is very sticky before it cures so once it's in there it's not coming out.
#4
Don't use the aerosol foam, if this box is outside the foam will break down with UV light, plus it's a mess and looks like krap.
Electrical putty, you can pick this up anywhere, it's like a block of clay, doesn't dry out and you can use it to seal all kinds of things, like duct work!
Electrical putty, you can pick this up anywhere, it's like a block of clay, doesn't dry out and you can use it to seal all kinds of things, like duct work!
#5
You can use any common exterior building sealant material: expanding foam, caulking, duct seal putty. It can be painted to match the house exterior if you desire.
#6
Member
I would take the two step approach, spray foam inside the cavity, let it expand, cut it back at the outside of the wall, and use duct seal that point. Happened to want some at the cabin a few weeks back, and had it at home but not in the truck, so went to the nearest small town hardware. The guy who offered to help when I walked in said no, he'd never heard of duct seal, so I described it to him, and he led me to it, meanwhile saying that it's not duct seal but that he knew what I meant. I appreciated how quickly I was able to get it and get back to what I wanted to do, but don't think that he looked at it long enough to see that it said "DUCT SEAL" in large bold letters on the package.
#7
I bet if you asked him for "dum dum" he could take you to it. One of those weird regional names for things that is common in Michigan for duct seal.
#8
Member
I was probably trying to be too correct since I don't get into this store too often, but would guess that you're right, because I usually refer to it as dum dum too. Maybe I just need to to stick with the local lingo next time. Hadn't noticed that you were in MI too until you mentioned it, so howdy neighbor!