Sealing a hole...

bikerdude666 · 25th November 2015, 06:16

in a wall… As it's getting close to a certain time of year, out Christmas lights will be going up. I've bought an outside socket this year, so need to drill a hole through the external wall to run the wire through. But how should I seal it around the wire to stop a draft and water getting in?
If anyone has any pointers it'd be much appreciated!

Thanks.

freck · 25th November 2015, 06:22

If the hole is only slightly bigger than the cable I'd just seal it with some silicone sealant. Any bigger and you'll be looking at mortaring it in.
Make sure you drill the hole at an angle pointing down to the outside to prevent water from tracking along the cable through the wall.

Avulon · 25th November 2015, 12:51

If the socket doesn't cover where the cable comes through on the outside be sure to make sure there's a 'drip loop' before it enters the wall so any water running along the cable doesn't run into the wall. I.e. the cable should always come up to a hole in the wall never horizontal or down to the hole.

stevestrat · 25th November 2015, 14:18

I found the best way to seal a hole is to marry it!

FLYER · 25th November 2015, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevestrat

I found the best way to seal a hole is to marry it!

You are now digging a hole .

bikerdude666 · 25th November 2015, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by freck

If the hole is only slightly bigger than the cable I'd just seal it with some silicone sealant. Any bigger and you'll be looking at mortaring it in.
Make sure you drill the hole at an angle pointing down to the outside to prevent water from tracking along the cable through the wall.

Thanks, it will hopefully be only slightly bigger than the cable. I'd been told to make a loop, hadn't thought of drilling the hole at an angle though, thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avulon

If the socket doesn't cover where the cable comes through on the outside be sure to make sure there's a 'drip loop' before it enters the wall so any water running along the cable doesn't run into the wall. I.e. the cable should always come up to a hole in the wall never horizontal or down to the hole.

I'll have to have a look, the cable is already attached to the outdoor socket, but I can't remember how the cable comes out of the box.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevestrat

I found the best way to seal a hole is to marry it!

I found having kids did that best...

stevestrat · 26th November 2015, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerdude666

I found having kids did that best...

The classic line from Only Fools And Horses when Raquel is giving birth "don't you ever touch me again Trotter!"

Kennyeth · 26th November 2015, 14:14

Plastic grommet like the Sky Installers use.
Ken.

bikerdude666 · 26th November 2015, 18:33

All done now, drilling the hole was easy, sealing it with clear silicone was easy. But trying to thread the cable through the hole was a PITA!

suzublu · 26th November 2015, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerdude666

All done now, drilling the hole was easy, sealing it with clear silicone was easy. But trying to thread the cable through the hole was a PITA!

You're supposed to put the cable through before sealing the hole

25th November 2015, 06:16	#1
bikerdude666 Posted a thing or two Jaguar Xe diseasal Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Little Stanion, Corby Posts: 1,922 Thanks: 363 Thanked 390 Times in 241 Posts	Sealing a hole... in a wall… As it's getting close to a certain time of year, out Christmas lights will be going up. I've bought an outside socket this year, so need to drill a hole through the external wall to run the wire through. But how should I seal it around the wire to stop a draft and water getting in? If anyone has any pointers it'd be much appreciated! Thanks.

25th November 2015, 06:22	#2
freck Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDT Connie Tourer Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Preston Posts: 1,051 Thanks: 142 Thanked 274 Times in 226 Posts	If the hole is only slightly bigger than the cable I'd just seal it with some silicone sealant. Any bigger and you'll be looking at mortaring it in. Make sure you drill the hole at an angle pointing down to the outside to prevent water from tracking along the cable through the wall. __________________ Steve Teamwork makes the dream work! Mods planned - Cruise retrofit - Done, ZT front bumper - Done, 160 remap - Done...and probably one or two more This vehicle was the 15,751st 75 Tourer to run off the production line, out of 27,407 This vehicle was the 3,726th 75 Tourer CDT Connoisseur to be made out of 4,100 This vehicle was the 732nd 75 Tourer in Starlight Silver (code: MBB) to be made out of 4,100 Starlight Silver 75 Tourers

25th November 2015, 12:51	#3
Avulon This is my second home 1.8t Tourer Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tanelorn Posts: 4,830 Thanks: 956 Thanked 1,148 Times in 916 Posts	If the socket doesn't cover where the cable comes through on the outside be sure to make sure there's a 'drip loop' before it enters the wall so any water running along the cable doesn't run into the wall. I.e. the cable should always come up to a hole in the wall never horizontal or down to the hole. __________________ Need a T4 ?: T4 Owners Map thanks to Stevestrat ( use at your own risk) Where?: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanelorn Mods/Retrofits: PCV vortex 'filter'; bluetooth; inline thermostat; reversing sensors; plenum spyhole ; headlamp washers ; Diy mp3 player replacing CD multichanger; FBH with remote; Headlamp washers; black/chrome front grille, rear blind; Xenon projectors To do: puddle lights; 2 Din cd/nav to fit; boot release button

25th November 2015, 14:18	#4
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,617 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	I found the best way to seal a hole is to marry it! __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

26th November 2015, 14:14	#8
Kennyeth This is my second home No more Rover Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Posts: 5,881 Thanks: 1,625 Thanked 1,308 Times in 998 Posts	Plastic grommet like the Sky Installers use. Ken.

26th November 2015, 18:33	#9
bikerdude666 Posted a thing or two Jaguar Xe diseasal Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Little Stanion, Corby Posts: 1,922 Thanks: 363 Thanked 390 Times in 241 Posts	All done now, drilling the hole was easy, sealing it with clear silicone was easy. But trying to thread the cable through the hole was a PITA!