Installing Weather-proof Outlet Boxes

Weather proof outlet boxes are used to protect outdoor outlets that you have at your home. A weather proof outlet box is simply a plastic box that you install over the outlet. It is designed to open and expose the outlet when needed and keep it covered when not in use. This keeps water and other material from getting into the outlet and potentially shorting out the circuit in which the outlet is wired to. Installing weather proof outlet boxes should be a job that most any do-it-yourselfer can accomplish. It requires a minimal amount of skills and some time in order to complete each of the installations. This article discusses the tools, materials and steps needed to accomplish this task.

Step 1 - Identify the Outside Outlet Boxes

You will need to map out the location of each of the outdoor outlets. You should also take measurements of the outlets in order to purchase the correct size weather-proof outlet covers. For the most part the outdoor outlets that you are looking to install the weather-proof outlet boxes to will be of the same standard size so you will not have to vary to much in sizes. 

Step 2 - Purchase Materials

At a home improvement center you can purchase the materials needed to install weather-proof outlet boxes. You will also need a masonry bit for your drill in the case where the outlet is positioned on in order to make holes necessary to attach the outlet box. 

Step 3 - Drill Holes

Set the weather-proof outlet boxes in position over the outlet and market the position of the holes that you need to make with the drill. Do this for each of the outlets, marking the holes with a pencil or marker.

With the hole positions marked, take a drill and the correct drill bit in order to set the holes in the position to attach the weather-proof outlet boxes.

Step 4 - Attach the Weather-Proof Outlet Boxes

Take the weather-proof outlet boxes and place them over the outdoor outlets. Attach the outlet boxes using screws and a screwdriver or screwdriver bit for your drill. Make sure that the outlet boxes snap over the outlet and cover it completely before moving to the next outlet to attach the cover.

Step 5 - Test the Outlet Boxes

Once you have installed all of the weather-proof outlet box covers, plug into the outdoor outlet to see if the cover is working correctly. After bad weather, such as a rain storm, check the outdoor outlets to see of any water or moisture has gotten into the outlet. If the outlet is dry, your installation is complete. If not, you may need to take the weather-proof outlet box off and make an adjustment to make sure that it is properly covering the outlet.