You nailed it with the GFCI reminder—seen too many folks skip that step and end up with a real mess (or worse). I’d add: don’t trust those foam sleeves to last forever. Mice treat them like an all-you-can-eat buffet. If you’ve got pets or critters around, maybe wrap ‘em in some tape or even chicken wire. And yeah, bumping the thermostat just for pipes? That’s like using a blowtorch to light a candle... overkill unless it’s truly freezing out. Maintenance beats panic every time.
Funny you mention mice and foam sleeves—last winter I found a little stash of sunflower seeds tucked inside one of mine. Guess the critters appreciated the insulation too. I started using those metal mesh wraps after that, but sometimes I wonder if it’s overkill or just peace of mind. Has anyone tried those eco-friendly wool pipe wraps? Supposedly they’re less tasty for rodents, but I haven’t seen much real-world feedback. Curious if they actually hold up, or if it’s just another greenwashing thing...
I’ve been wondering about those wool wraps too. They sound good on paper, but do they actually stop the little guys from chewing through? I mean, if a mouse is determined, will it really care what it’s made of? I’ve only ever used the basic foam sleeves and had the same problem—found a chewed-up mess one spring. Does anyone know if wool holds up better in damp spots, or does it just end up soggy and gross after a wet winter?
Honestly, I wouldn’t count on wool wraps to keep mice out. If they’re hungry or bored enough, they’ll gnaw through just about anything—wool’s not really a deterrent. Had the same issue with foam, and tried switching to wool one year thinking it’d be more eco-friendly and maybe less tasty for rodents. Didn’t make a difference. Plus, after a wet season, the wool got pretty damp and started smelling funky. Didn’t dry out well under my house either... kind of a pain, actually.
I get wanting to avoid plastic, but if you’re dealing with determined critters and moisture, mineral wool or even metal mesh might hold up better. Foam’s cheap but not really critter-proof, and wool’s just not tough enough in my experience. Maybe worth trying if your winters are dry, but for damp spots, I’d look at something less absorbent and harder to chew through.
I hear you on the wool—tried it myself and had pretty much the same outcome.
That smell is no joke, especially if you’ve got a crawlspace that never really dries out.“the wool got pretty damp and started smelling funky. Didn’t dry out well under my house either... kind of a pain, actually.”
If you’re looking for something eco-friendlier but still tough, here’s what’s worked for me:
1. Start with metal mesh (hardware cloth) as your first layer. It’s not perfect, but mice hate chewing through it.
2. Wrap pipes with mineral wool after that. It handles moisture way better than sheep’s wool and doesn’t get gross.
3. If you’re worried about condensation, add a vapor barrier over the mineral wool—just make sure it’s not plastic if you’re avoiding that. There are some plant-based wraps out there now.
4. Check everything at least once a season, especially after heavy rain or snowmelt.
It’s not 100% critter-proof, but I’ve had way less trouble since switching to this setup. The key is layering—one material alone just doesn’t cut it in a damp spot.
