You are viewing a single thread.
View all comments
21 points

@SirNuke All of the comments saying spray foam are technically correct - that is the easiest way but it will look like orange crap. Some people mentioned steel wool - avoid that because it rusts and will end up looking like orange crap. Find some “excluder mesh”, which an inexpensive product sold to the pest control industry - it is a nylon mesh with reinforcing fibers…think Brillo pad stiffness. Stuff the gap to fill it then use silicone sealant to finish it off.

permalink
report
reply
11 points

I would say the expanding foam would still be preferred. Just don’t go crazy with it. Then before it’s fully cured, cut it back flush. Wait for it to dry then caulk to cover/seal.

permalink
report
parent
reply
5 points

@parrot@kbin.social

@SirNuke

My actual job is to inspect homes. It is an industry joke that Joe-diy-guy grabs a can of great-stuff expando foam and “fixes” it…leaving a jacked up mess that rats just chew through to get in again. There are better ways of securing entry points.

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

That’s a good suggestion, I was looking at stainless steel wool and wasn’t finding a lot of great options.

permalink
report
parent
reply
6 points

@SirNuke Another option if you don’t want to source excluder mesh is to get some “backer rod” - a painter’s product sold as “caulk saver” at the home improvement palace. You use it to fill large gaps which you then seal over with caulk or silicone.

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

@SirNuke The other reason to not use steel wool is that it can be a fire hazard. A low voltage shorted across steel wool will result in fire (I carry a 9-volt and steel wool in my camping kit as emergency fire-starter).

permalink
report
parent
reply

Home Improvement

!homeimprovement@lemmy.world

Create post

Home Improvement

Community stats

  • 98

    Monthly active users

  • 235

    Posts

  • 2.6K

    Comments