outlet putty pads

[badman70]

Can I buy outlet putty pads at home depot or other store?  My city may not require the builder to install these in the outlets at the common wall.  If I find out that I have to install them myself, I may have only a 24 hour window to do so.  So buying online is not an option because I can't wait for delivery.

What store can I buy these at?

thanks

[Randy S]

I dont think Home Depot or Lowes has them.
Try a local electrical supply company.

[johnbergstromslc]

If you aren't able to find them in the time window, there is another option.  I came across a website where a guy (it was actually Ted White's, one of the founders of the Green Glue Company) was building a home theater and instead of using putty pads to seal his electrical boxes, he 'buttered' up his boxes with plain old caulking.

Not as good as putty, but if you get the good flexible stuff it'll do well enough, I think.  Combined with outlet gaskets, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Here's the site:
http://tedwhite.homestead.com/gallery.html
http://tedwhite.homestead.com/files/butterbox.jpg 

[badman70]

Well I did find a supply shop that I can get the putty pads from.  However, looking at the townhomes that are ahead of mine in construction, it looks like the builder is putting the putty pads on.  The only weird thing is they just slap in on the back of the outlet and cut the rest away.  The sides never get covered at all. 

John, is this just sloppy work.  Is the soundproofing compromised due to only the back of the outlet is covered with putty and not the sides?  I figure I would just buy some pads and put them on the sides myself.  Think this is a good idea?

[johnbergstromslc]

Well I did find a supply shop that I can get the putty pads from.  However, looking at the townhomes that are ahead of mine in construction, it looks like the builder is putting the putty pads on.  The only weird thing is they just slap in on the back of the outlet and cut the rest away.  The sides never get covered at all. 

John, is this just sloppy work.  Is the soundproofing compromised due to only the back of the outlet is covered with putty and not the sides?  I figure I would just buy some pads and put them on the sides myself.  Think this is a good idea?

Well, fully covered is best, but even covering just the back does some good.  Just sealing the penetrations cuts the noise leakage quite a bit. 

Yeah, if you still can, absolutely cover the sides.

[sbkim]

Are there less expensive alternative to Quiet Putty (sold now at Lowes)?  A local supply shop said he has something similar but it's gray and it's much less expensive BUT I am concerned with they have same acoustical properties as the more expensive versions??  Thanks

[Randy S]

if they are the same thickness you should be fine...what is most important is achieving the air tight seal and by covering the entire box...we used to use acoustical caulk back before using putty pads and in some cases still use caulking.

[sbkim]

Thanks Randy.  Yes, they are same thickness - 1/8"   Do you guys offer any of these?

[Randy S]

No we don't carry these, you can find them at any electrical supply company.