I’m honestly a bit skeptical about how well the foam holds up over time, especially if there’s any moisture or shifting going on behind the walls.
Right there with you. That foam might look solid at first, but give it a year or two and it’s like it just gives up—especially if you’ve got any kind of dampness. I’ve pulled out chunks that basically turned to dust. The copper mesh definitely holds up better, but yeah, it’s not cheap, and I’m not convinced it’s always necessary unless you’re dealing with a real persistent critter problem.
As for the combo of mesh and foam, I’ve actually had better luck with it than foam alone. Mice seem to hate chewing through the copper, but if you just use foam, they’ll tunnel right through like it’s nothing. Still, I wouldn’t call it a miracle fix. If there’s any movement in the wall or the gap shifts, you’re back to square one.
Stainless steel pads—I’ve tried those too. They don’t rust out as fast as regular steel wool, but they’re not immune, especially if there’s any moisture. They’re a bit tougher, but honestly, I still end up replacing them every couple years. At this point, I just deal with things as they come up. Scheduling checks behind appliances sounds great in theory, but in reality... unless something smells weird, I’m not moving the fridge.
Scheduling checks behind appliances sounds great in theory, but in reality... unless something smells weird, I’m not moving the fridge.
Honestly, I get the temptation to just wait for a problem, but that’s how I ended up with a mouse condo behind my stove last winter. Foam alone didn’t cut it for me either, but I think regular checks—even if it’s just once a year—save a ton of hassle down the line. Not fun, but less gross than surprise critters.
unless something smells weird, I’m not moving the fridge.
I hear you, but as someone who’s seen what can pile up behind appliances, I don’t wait for a smell. Here’s my take:
- Once a year, I pull out every major appliance—fridge, stove, washer. It’s a pain, but it beats dealing with chewed wires or burst hoses.
- Found a slow leak behind a fridge once that could’ve wrecked the floor if I’d left it. No smell at all.
- Mice love those hidden spots. Foam helps, but steel wool plus caulk is way more reliable for sealing gaps.
- If you’re worried about pipes being up to code, those hidden connections are usually where things go wrong first—loose clamps, old hoses, etc.
It’s not glamorous work and yeah, sometimes you find stuff you wish you hadn’t... but it’s way easier than dealing with water damage or pest infestations later. Just my two cents from years of cleaning up after tenants who didn’t bother.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, waiting for a smell is risky. I’ve seen tiny leaks behind dishwashers that never smelled but rotted out the subfloor. Quick check once a year saves a lot of headaches later. Mice are sneaky too—steel wool’s my go-to.
Honestly, I get paranoid about hidden leaks too. My neighbor had a slow drip under his sink for who knows how long—looked fine on the outside, but the cabinet bottom was mush. I’m still not convinced once a year is enough, though. Maybe I’m just jumpy, but I swear pipes have it out for me... And yeah, steel wool is a must, unless you want to hear critters tap-dancing in your walls at 2am.