"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...
