On Jan 13, 10:44*am, Robert Macy wrote:
Where the AC mains romex goes through the hole in the 2x4 across the
top of the studs and on up into the attic, there is some type of
hardened reddish gunk placed around the cabling to plug the hole in
the 2x4 and hold the cable rigidly in place.

My guess is that the purpose of the 'gunk' is to hold the cable,
prevent critter intrusions, and provide insulation between hollow of
interior wall and attic.

What is that compound?

Also, is there a similar, but more pliant, sealant? Just in case the
cabling needs to be replaced and the pliant sealant will allow
everything to be pulled out?

@Robert Macy:

Your "guess" is wrong...

That reddish gunk is called fire caulking... It doesn't hold the
cabling,
and it's primary purpose is not critter prevention -- insulation is
close
to what it is doing but not for building energy efficiency, it is to
stop
fire penetration into our out of the wall cavity that the electrical
cable
is passing through...

You would need to use the same fire caulking if you did any work
to or on the cable -- it will come out of the hole your comments
about wanting a more pliant sealant show that perhaps you should
not be the one doing the work if it has to be touched...

~~ Evan