Finally tackled my noisy pipes and feeling pretty proud

I've been down this road myself, and I agree - PEX is super convenient, but rodents can be a real headache. Your steel wool trick is spot-on; rodents really can't stand chewing through that stuff. I did something similar, but I took it a step further because...well, I'm a bit paranoid about leaks and water damage.

After sealing entry points like you did, I also installed metal flashing around some of the more exposed pipe runs. Yeah, it was probably overkill, but it gave me peace of mind. Protective sleeves are great too - especially if you pick ones specifically rated for rodent resistance. Not all sleeves are created equal, so it's worth checking the specs before buying.

Funny story (well, funny now...not so much at the time): Before I knew better, I just wrapped my PEX in basic foam insulation thinking it'd deter chewing. Nope. Came home one day to find little bits of foam scattered everywhere and tiny teeth marks all over my pipes. Lesson learned the hard way.

Anyway, since upgrading to metal flashing and rodent-resistant sleeves, I've had zero issues - knock on wood indeed. It's definitely worth the extra effort upfront to avoid bigger headaches down the line. Glad you found something that works too!

Great tips here - steel wool is definitely a lifesaver. A couple more things I've learned from emergency calls over the years:

- Rodents are stubborn little critters. Steel wool works great, but copper mesh is another solid option. It's easier to stuff into tight spots and doesn't rust out as quickly.
- Metal flashing is smart, but if you're tight on space or budget, aluminum tape can be a decent quick fix. Not as robust, but rodents hate chewing through metal surfaces in general.
- Foam insulation alone...yeah, that's basically rodent candy. Had a client once who wrapped pipes in foam thinking it'd help - ended up with a flooded basement and some very happy mice.

Honestly, your paranoia about leaks isn't misplaced. I've seen enough water damage nightmares to know that extra precautions upfront save you big headaches later. Glad you found something that works - sounds like you're set for the long haul now.

Copper mesh is a great suggestion - wish I'd known about it sooner. I've always defaulted to steel wool, but rust has definitely been an issue after a while. Aluminum tape sounds handy too, especially in tight spots.

Speaking of rodents, anyone ever tried peppermint oil or those ultrasonic repellent gadgets? I've heard mixed things...some swear by them, others say they're useless. Had a tenant once who insisted peppermint oil kept mice away, but honestly, I couldn't tell if it actually worked or if she just got lucky. Curious if anyone here has personal experience with either of these?

Copper mesh is definitely a step up from steel wool - good call on that. About peppermint oil, I've had a few clients swear by it, but honestly, results seem pretty hit-or-miss. Maybe it depends on how determined the mice are? As for ultrasonic gadgets, I've seen them in action at a couple houses, and I couldn't really tell if they made any difference. Might be worth trying as part of a broader strategy, but probably not reliable on their own.

"About peppermint oil, I've had a few clients swear by it, but honestly, results seem pretty hit-or-miss."

Peppermint oil never really worked for me either. But you know what did? Sealing up even the tiniest gaps around pipes and vents with silicone caulk. Takes a bit of patience, but it's eco-friendly and keeps them out long-term without relying on gadgets or scents. Worth a shot if you're still having trouble...

"Peppermint oil never really worked for me either. But you know what did? Sealing up even the tiniest gaps around pipes and vents with silicone caulk."

Yeah, peppermint oil was a total bust for me too. I remember spending a whole weekend trying to chase down this weird scratching noise in my walls - thought I was losing my mind. Eventually, I grabbed some silicone caulk and went around sealing every tiny gap I could find. Took a while, but honestly, it was kinda satisfying once I got into the rhythm of it. And the best part is, it actually worked. Haven't heard a peep since, and it's been months now.

So props to you for tackling it head-on. It's always nice when you find a solution that's both effective and eco-friendly. Plus, there's something oddly rewarding about DIY fixes like this... makes you feel like you've genuinely accomplished something useful around the house. Glad you got it sorted!

Silicone caulk is definitely the way to go for sealing gaps - it's durable and easy enough to apply once you get the hang of it. Did you run into any tricky spots around plumbing fixtures or vents? Those areas always seem to give me trouble...

"Did you run into any tricky spots around plumbing fixtures or vents? Those areas always seem to give me trouble..."

Yeah, plumbing fixtures can definitely be a pain. Last time I tackled sealing around my kitchen sink, I underestimated how tight the space was behind the faucet. Ended up having to use a small mirror and flashlight combo just to see what I was doing back there. Silicone caulk is great, but it gets messy fast in tight spots - had to redo it twice before I got a clean seal.

Vents weren't as bad for me, but I did notice that silicone doesn't always stick well if there's any dust or grime left behind. Learned the hard way that prep work matters more than you'd think. Now I always wipe down surfaces with rubbing alcohol first - makes a huge difference in adhesion.

Nice job getting those noisy pipes sorted, by the way. Feels good when you finally cross something like that off your list.

Interesting about the silicone - I've actually moved away from using it around fixtures lately. Found it doesn't hold up as well long-term, especially in damp environments. Have you considered plumber's putty instead? It's a bit more forgiving in tight spaces and easier to clean up if things get messy. Plus, it's less chemically harsh overall, which aligns better with my eco-friendly goals. Curious if you've tried it or had different experiences?

I've actually had mixed luck with plumber's putty in damp spots - sometimes it stays flexible and seals great, other times it dries out quicker than I'd like. Silicone can be messy, but I've found certain mildew-resistant brands hold up pretty well long-term. Guess it's a bit of trial and error...

Plumber's putty can definitely be hit or miss in damp spots, especially if there's constant moisture exposure. It usually does great for sinks and drains, but anywhere that's continually wet or humid, silicone tends to outperform it long-term.

One tip I've found helpful when using silicone (since yeah, it's messy as heck) is taping off the area first. Just run painter's tape along both sides of the seam you're sealing, lay your silicone bead down, then smooth it out carefully with a damp finger dipped in soapy water. Peel off the tape right away and voila - clean lines without the silicone smeared all over your fingers and clothes. Learned that trick after ruining a good work shirt... oops.

Also, if you're worried about mildew, those bathroom-specific silicones labeled "mildew-resistant" really do hold up better in my experience. Costs a little extra, but totally worth avoiding that nasty black mold creeping in after a few months.

Congrats on quieting those noisy pipes by the way - nothing worse than plumbing that sounds haunted.

Good call on the painter's tape trick - wish I'd known that years ago. I've lost count of how many shirts I've sacrificed to silicone disasters. One thing I'm curious about though, have you noticed any difference between clear and white silicone in terms of mildew resistance? I've had mixed results myself...some clear silicones seem to yellow faster or get moldy quicker, even if they're labeled mildew-resistant. Maybe it's just my luck, but it'd be interesting to hear if anyone else has noticed this too. Glad your pipes aren't haunting you anymore, nothing like waking up at 3am convinced your house is possessed by plumbing demons...

I've definitely noticed clear silicone yellowing faster too, even the supposedly mildew-resistant stuff. I redid our shower about two years ago with clear silicone thinking it'd look cleaner, but within a year it started looking dingy and moldy around the edges. Switched to white silicone last summer, and so far it's holding up way better - still looks fresh. Could just be coincidence, but I'm sticking with white from now on...lesson learned the hard way, as usual. Glad your pipes are finally quiet - nothing worse than plumbing noises at night.

Interesting you mention the clear silicone issue - I had almost the exact same experience. When I first moved into my place, I was convinced clear silicone would look sleek and modern around the kitchen sink. Took my time, taped everything off neatly, and felt pretty proud of myself when it was done. Fast forward about 8 months, and it started turning this weird yellowish color, especially near the faucet. At first, I thought maybe I'd messed up somehow or bought a bad batch, but after reading around, seems like it's just a common problem with clear silicone.

Ended up redoing it with white silicone last winter, and so far it's been holding up great. Still looks clean and fresh even though it's seen plenty of spills and splashes. Guess sometimes the simplest solutions really are best...lesson learned for next time. Glad your plumbing issues are sorted - nothing quite like finally silencing those mysterious midnight pipe concerts, haha.

Funny, I've actually had decent luck with clear silicone around my bathroom sink - going on two years now and still looks pretty good. Maybe it's a kitchen-specific thing with oils or something causing discoloration? Just guessing here...but white silicone does seem foolproof.

Clear silicone can hold up surprisingly well, especially in bathrooms. I once used it around a client's kitchen sink though, and within months it started yellowing - probably due to cooking oils or cleaning products. White silicone definitely seems more reliable there...interesting how different environments affect it differently.

"Clear silicone can hold up surprisingly well, especially in bathrooms."

Funny you mention that - I've had mixed luck with clear silicone myself. Used it once around a shower stall in a rental, and it held up great for years. But another time, I sealed around a kitchen backsplash, and it yellowed faster than my tenants could complain about the noisy pipes (which, trust me, is saying something...). White silicone seems safer overall, but honestly, sometimes it feels like a roll of the dice.

"White silicone seems safer overall, but honestly, sometimes it feels like a roll of the dice."

Yeah, silicone can be weirdly unpredictable. I've noticed the yellowing issue too, especially near kitchen areas - maybe it's something to do with cooking oils or heat exposure? Bathrooms seem more forgiving, probably because there's less direct sunlight and fewer contaminants. Wonder if anyone's tried those mold-resistant silicones...are they actually worth the extra bucks or just marketing hype?

I've used the mold-resistant silicone in my bathroom renovation a couple years ago, and honestly, it held up pretty well. I was skeptical at first - thought it might just be marketing fluff - but it's noticeably cleaner than the standard stuff I used before. Still, I agree with you on kitchens being trickier:

"maybe it's something to do with cooking oils or heat exposure?"

Definitely. My kitchen silicone yellowed within months, even the pricier stuff. Seems like regular cleaning helps a bit, but nothing completely prevents it...

Yeah, kitchens are definitely tougher...maybe it's the grease or steam buildup? I've noticed silicone near stovetops or ovens always seems to degrade faster. Wonder if there's a specific heat-resistant type that's better suited for cooking areas. Might be worth checking into.