Draught from Electrical Socket

BarneyMc

Registered User
Messages
201
There's a mini gale blowing through an electrical socket on an external wall inside my house. Can anyone suggest a safe way of stopping this draft?
 
Re: Draft from Electrical Socket

Eh, could you plug something into it?

It doesn't sound very safe. If there is a gale coming through, maybe it's also exposed to rain?

Brendan
 
Re: Draft from Electrical Socket

I was replacing a wall socket the other day and noticed a draught once I had removed the old one. I presume that the ducting is in a cavity which goes up to the open attic which is obviously ventilated at the eaves. I presume that this is where the slight draught comes from. Maybe it's the same in your case?
 
Re: Draft from Electrical Socket

From DIY.com

Insulate Electrical Outlets

There is one other place where cold air tends to find its way into your house, and that is through electrical outlets and light switches that are located on exterior walls. This problem can be easily solved in two quick steps. First take off the cover plate and see if there is any space around the outside of the box. If there is, you can use some small pieces of the fiberglass insulation to fill that space. Second, you can purchase some thin foam pads at most hardware stores that are designed to fit over the outlet, but underneath the cover plate. These reduce the amount of airflow that is allowed to come from inside the wall. This is a very minimal investment that will make a difference in the draftiness of your room.
 
Re: Draft from Electrical Socket

Eh, could you plug something into it?

It doesn't sound very safe. If there is a gale coming through, maybe it's also exposed to rain?

Brendan

No it's safe Brendan... no dampness whatsoever.


Yes Clubman, this is exactly the case with me. Furthermore, the attic is directly above the room as it is an extension. What did you do to stop the draught?


This seems like what I need Krissovo... anyone know a good DIY store in Ireland who would provide this (think the above link is based in USA).
 
Re: Draft from Electrical Socket

Yes Clubman, this is exactly the case with me. Furthermore, the attic is directly above the room as it is an extension. What did you do to stop the draught?
Nothing. There's no real draught when the socket panel is on the wall since there is normally something plugged in or the internal socket mechanism blocks most of the holes anyway. I didn't bother doing anything. I might stick a bit of insulation in the attic where there is none along the dividing wall with next door. Not sure why this strip was never insulated from when the house was built. Presumably just an oversight. There's a chute behind the dry line wall that goes all the way from the ground floor up to the attic so perhaps capping this with insulation might help. Ultimately I only noticed the issue when I took the socket panel off the wall and it's no big deal for me.
 
Re: Draft from Electrical Socket

We have small kids, so all the sockets are fitted with covers to prevent little fingers or other objects from being stuck into them. The covers are tightly fitted and also prevent drafts from coming through, could you try this?
 
Re: Draft from Electrical Socket

We have small kids, so all the sockets are fitted with covers to prevent little fingers or other objects from being stuck into them.
Why do people do this? With a properly functioning socket you should not be able to get anything into the live part without simultaneously inserting something into the earth part. If your baby/toddler can manage that then they are probably brainy enough already to know that electricity is dangerous!
 
Re: Draft from Electrical Socket

We have small kids, so all the sockets are fitted with covers to prevent little fingers or other objects from being stuck into them. The covers are tightly fitted and also prevent drafts from coming through, could you try this?

Yes pops, I think that is a good quick fix but may not eliminate all the draught. I would like a longer term, more permanent solution also.

As a general question is there any recommended store (online or not?) that people have found really good for draught prevention products?
 
Re: Draft from Electrical Socket

Perhaps check your attic and see if the draught might be originating from there?
Is it an old or relatively new house? I've seen old houses where draughts were coming in through gaps between the ground and first floors!
 
Re: Draft from Electrical Socket

Perhaps check your attic and see if the draught might be originating from there?
Is it an old or relatively new house? I've seen old houses where draughts were coming in through gaps between the ground and first floors!

yes I had a look in the attic and there are a few gaps (can see light coming from outside) which I must fill in. I can't get to the wall where it's just over the electrical sockets as the roof comes in too tight so I'll just have to clock the sockets as best I can... job for tomorrow!!