Best way to solve electrical box mess?

[thrytis]

I went to replace an outside light on my house today, and when i started trimming the siding to install a mounting block (rather than just attaching it to the wall with large gaps around it) i discovered the crappy job done to install the original one:



It looks like they used a hammer to open up the sheathing, and the electrical box is secured with only one nail and is cracked. Do i remove the vinyl siding, cut out a block of damaged sheathing between two studs, install a new electrical box, and replace the sheathing with a patch, or is there a quicker or better way?

I think a lot of my home improvement projects would go so much quicker if did a better job the first time!

[Daryl]

I would probably just attach the new box to the stud as this one is and then use spray foam to fill all the cracks and missing sheathing. Just keep it flush so the siding can be re-installed.

[dbhost]

You want it done quick & dirty, or do you want it done right?

[thrytis]

You want it done quick & dirty, or do you want it done right?

Haven't entirely decided. I figure the quickest & dirtiest would be to stick a screw through the side of the box to secure it and caulk the mounting block in so it doesn't float around, but that is a bit too dirty for my tastes. I'm kind of looking for suggestions of both what is the "correct" way as well quicker ways that fall somewhere in between dirty and correct and then try to decide which way to go.

Thanks!

[dbhost]

Remove the siding enough to replace the seating and replace....

[thrytis]

Providing the thickness is the same, is there any issue (e.g. code wise) using plywood or OSB instead of the fiberboard sheathing? I might be able to dig up a piece for free verse buying a whole 4x8 sheet of fiberboard sheathing.

Thanks!

[JimD]

I am pretty sure there is no code issue with substituting stronger OSB or plywood for fiberboard sheathing. I would do it. I would also put some fiberglass or expanding foam insulation around the box after fastening it firmly to the stud (or a new electrical box if I read this right and the one you have is cracked). To me, replacing the sheathing (with something), fixing the box solid, and probably putting an airfiltration barrier around the patched sheathing (tar paper would be fine IMHO) would represent a "good" fix.

Jim

[thrytis]

Thanks for the suggestions! I picked new box today and found some plywood scraps that should work. Hopefully i'll get a chance to fix it tomorrow.