I want to install an exterior light. I have stucco. I read the article How to Install an Exterior Outlet Box in Stucco, but I am concerned with water getting inside ... Is caulking enough?
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@Tester101, right, I meant at preventing water into the wall. Thanks Michael. I am actually installing an exterior light and my question is about the electrical box where the light is going to be installed on. The electrical box looks like this right now: selfhelpforums.com/… if I caulk around the electrical box it would look like this selfhelpforums.com/… would that be enough?– RAUL PRADOCommented May 29, 2013 at 4:11
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Those are pretty defective instructions: they break the true water barrier in a stucco system.– BryceCommented Oct 26, 2018 at 21:37
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@RAULPRADO I have the same issue. Since nobody answered your question, did you ever figure out more?– divBCommented Jun 15 at 20:11
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@Bryce This is exactly my concern. Installing an electrical box would break the water barrier (tar paper). How to install it properly such that is water proof?– divBCommented Jun 15 at 20:12
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2 Answers
It sounds to me like the caulk is meant to prevent water from getting into the wall, not to prevent water from entering the electrical box. To seal the box, you'll want to use a weatherproof cover with a weatherproof gasket.
If the box is in an area protected from the weather, you can use a cover that is weatherproof when nothing is plugged in.
However, if the box is not protected, you'll want to use a cover that is weatherproof even when things are plugged in.
In my opinion, it's a good idea to use an "in-use" cover for all outdoor receptacles
answered May 28, 2013 at 14:02
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I think the actual question is about breaking the stucco water barrier (which is usually a tar paper between sheathing and stucco). How to install a box such that the box won't start leaking and destroy the sheathing behind?– divBCommented Jun 15 at 20:15
No. Caulking of the external box edge to the stucco is not enough. You need to make sure to use outdoor grade box cover and outlets assembly that has spring loaded waterproof doors over the outlet.
answered May 28, 2013 at 5:26
