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Is the gap too wide to be sealed with caulking?

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  • Oct 23rd, 2020 7:58 pm
Deal Addict
Oct 26, 2003
1436 posts
379 upvotes
Ottawa

Is the gap too wide to be sealed with caulking?

Just installed my Ring floodlights, the box is between two siding pieces. Is the gap(about 1cm) too wide to be sealed with silicone caulking?

Would like to avoid cutting the siding....
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7 replies
Deal Addict
Jun 26, 2019
2130 posts
1854 upvotes
GTA
Its not going to look pretty, but you can seal it.

You may need to put something solid in there as a backing for the DAP. A small piece of some flexible rubber should do the trick.
Deal Expert
User avatar
Feb 11, 2007
21248 posts
25711 upvotes
GTA
oceans_end wrote: Just installed my Ring floodlights, the box is between two siding pieces. Is the gap(about 1cm) too wide to be sealed with silicone caulking?

Would like to avoid cutting the siding....
It's fine. If it was too big, you could use some backer rod (foam to stuff behind). You can also layer it up. Caulk the outside, then let it harden and fill it in.
If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
Deal Fanatic
Nov 17, 2012
5381 posts
5003 upvotes
Toronto
The upper course of siding should have been notched around the electrical box enough to accommodate the fixture.

This is how I did my cedar shakes around my exterior fixture. If I was you I'd remove the fixture and get out a Dremel tool and cut a nice arc in that upper course of siding to allow the fixture to sit flat on the lower course of siding.

I'm assuming it's not vinyl. It looks like solid plank siding.

That being said, yes, you can fill that gap with a bunch of silicone/foam backing and keep an eye on it to avoid water leaking into the electrical box and then, into the wall.
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Deal Addict
Oct 26, 2003
1436 posts
379 upvotes
Ottawa
It was the only tube I had around the house, and it’s paintable, will have to do for now. Couldn’t leave the gap there, debating if I should buy a dremel to cut it though. Fixture is 10ft off the ground, and gap is only on the top portion.
Deal Guru
Jan 25, 2007
12695 posts
7861 upvotes
Paris
You shouldnt use caulking at all. You should use electrician’s putty which comes in a 1-2 pound brick and looks like the movies have told me C4 looks like.

Edit: Also, you shouldnt be cutting the siding around this light. You should be using a mounting block to make it look right.

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