2007-02-26 20:43:49 · 13 answers · asked by Michael B 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Actually all you can do is limit the amount of air travelling past them. Gaskets do good. The condition is called convective air loss. It is caused by the air movement through the insulation on the exterior portion of your house. As the air movement (wind) passes through the outer layers of the house, it disrupts the air pockets in the insulation, causing the air to move out of its comfortable spot and through the outlet. You will also find it around doors, windows and other areas that go to the outer portions of your home. Complete sealing of the exterior can only be accomplished by adding a layer of foam insulation between the interior and exterior walls of the house. This is a major financial undertaking, so the recommendation of moving has some validity just not much practicality. Foam (DAP, Good Stuff) is the type of foam that the general public can use but caution is given as the rise factor is not often considered by the typical homeowner. Lawsuits are being filed because the homeowner applied too much foam and after it rose to its full capacity, it destroyed outlets and widows. Professionals know how much the foam will rise and how much to apply to keep from destroying things. Another way to help is to force pink fiberglass behind the outlet box. It only takes a small hole in the back of the outlet box to force the fiberglass through. Pack it in tight and fill the entire void behind the outlet box. This should help, but it wont eliminate it all.
2007-02-27 00:18:19 · answer #1 · answered by martymoose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
foam gaskets that are made for outlets re best. I wouldn't spray foam or great stuff on any wiring there have been cases where the insulation has gotten bad and in turn can cause fires
2007-02-26 23:01:17 · answer #2 · answered by Larry 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you go with the foam, remove the face plate and see if there is any gap between the outlet box and the wall material. If there is, use the foam in that opening. It will stop most of the draft without putting the foam on the wiring.
2007-02-27 00:34:08 · answer #3 · answered by Cord S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MOVE.
Actually only kidding. DAP makes a foam product much like shaving cream, which expands behind the outlet and comes with a long tube. Spray that in there (not in the box but through a hole in the box) then use those gasket things these guys are describing and your set for life.
2007-02-26 21:03:13 · answer #4 · answered by overwhelmed999 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is a lawsuit going on about expanding foam and electrical equipment, not a good idea! The foam gaskets are the best way to go. If your hardware store doesnt sell them your nearest electrical supply store will.
2007-02-26 22:33:24 · answer #5 · answered by sparky8786 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
foam insulation; it comes in a can and sprays into the gap. As previously mentioned, 'great stuff' is one of the brands of spray foam insulation.
2007-02-26 20:52:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your hardware store will sell pre-cut foam inserts that fit behind your outlet plates. They are cheap and do a pretty god job.
Good luck!
2007-02-26 22:27:43 · answer #7 · answered by Pablo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is very simple to do and not expensive. You can go to a store that will sell for example for child saftey plugs. You just put them inside the outlet. That should do the trick for you.
2007-02-26 20:57:57 · answer #8 · answered by babycakes3557 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Thin foam gaskets are readily manufactured the are the shape of the swithch plates : receptacles and switches.
2007-02-26 20:55:38 · answer #9 · answered by devil dogs 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to home depot and buy the kits to insulate them
2007-02-27 04:52:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋