“They don’t do much for condensation or ‘sweating’ pipes. For that, you’re better off with proper pipe insulation—get the thick foam sleeves and make sure all the joints are sealed up tight.”
That’s spot on about the insulation. I’ve found that even the so-called “self-sealing” foam sleeves can leave tiny gaps if you’re not careful, especially around elbows and T-joints. I usually go back over those spots with a bit of foil tape or even some spray foam for the trickier angles. Makes a noticeable difference in humid months.
On the dehumidifier front, I’d add that keeping it elevated (like on a cinder block) helps with drainage and airflow. I learned that the hard way after my first one rusted out from sitting right on the concrete.
As for mice, steel wool stuffed into any visible gaps before sealing with caulk has worked better for me than just caulk alone. They’ll chew through almost anything else... except maybe concrete, but I’m not about to start pouring that in every crack.
Yeah, sealing up those foam sleeves is trickier than it looks—especially if your pipes are older and not exactly straight. I’ve had to double back with some eco-friendly caulk in a few spots, just to keep things tight. On the mice front, I’ve tried using copper mesh instead of steel wool since it doesn’t rust and supposedly lasts longer. Not sure if it’s made a huge difference, but at least I feel better about it from a sustainability angle. And totally agree about elevating the dehumidifier... mine used to leave a weird ring on the floor before I wised up.
Plumbing Tips That Change With The Seasons
You’re right about those foam sleeves—older pipes are rarely straight, and sometimes you end up wrestling with a weird bend or two. I’ve found that splitting the sleeve lengthwise helps a bit, especially for pipes that have odd curves or elbows. I’ll usually seal the seam with a bead of caulk, but I tend to go with silicone since it holds up better if there’s any condensation.
Copper mesh is a solid choice for mice. Steel wool can rust out in a year or two, especially in damp basements, and then you’re back to square one. One thing to watch for: make sure you really pack it in tight around any gaps. Mice are persistent little guys and can squeeze through spaces you’d never expect.
On the dehumidifier—lifting it onto some old bricks has saved me from those ugly rings too. I’ve also started putting a cheap tray underneath just in case of spills. Not glamorous, but it beats scrubbing water stains off concrete.
Little tweaks like these make seasonal maintenance way less of a headache down the line.
Copper mesh is a solid choice for mice. Steel wool can rust out in a year or two, especially in damp basements, and then you’re back to square one.
Yeah, copper mesh is the way to go. I’ve seen folks try expanding foam too, but mice just chew right through it—might as well put up a “welcome” sign. On the foam sleeves, splitting them works, but I’ll admit I’ve just taped the heck out of the seams when I’m in a rush. Not pretty, but it gets the job done until I can circle back. Funny how the little fixes end up saving you from the big headaches later.
Copper mesh definitely holds up better than steel wool, especially if you’ve got any moisture issues. I’ve patched more than a few holes where someone thought expanding foam would do the trick—mice treat that stuff like a snack bar. For pipe insulation, I’ll use split foam sleeves too, but if you want it to last, zip ties or proper tape (not duct tape) make a big difference. Quick fixes are fine in a pinch, but they always come back to haunt you when the weather turns.
