- Can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen folks regret skipping fire caulk or foam around pipe penetrations.
- Too much gap, and you’re right—moisture’s a nightmare.
- I always check for snug fit, but I’ll use mineral wool if there’s a risk of pipes expanding.
- Had a call once where a mouse chewed right through the cheap stuff someone used... ended up costing way more than just doing it right the first time.
- Removable’s good, but make sure it’s still airtight—drafts are sneaky.
I get why people try to save a few bucks with the cheap foam, but honestly, it’s just not worth the hassle down the road. I learned that lesson fast—first winter in my place, I found out the hard way that mice can squeeze through gaps you’d swear were too small for anything bigger than a bug. Ended up tearing out half the basement ceiling to fix it right.
I’m with you on mineral wool for spots where pipes might move or expand. The fire caulk’s a must too, especially anywhere near living spaces or garages. I’ve seen folks just stuff in whatever’s handy and call it good, but if you want to avoid drafts and moisture issues, you really have to pay attention to those details. Removable is nice if you ever need access, but if it’s not sealed tight, you’re just asking for trouble.
Honestly, I’d rather spend an extra hour now than deal with mold or critters later. It’s one of those things where doing it right the first time actually saves money and headaches.
Funny how mice can fit through gaps you’d swear were only big enough for a pencil, right? I’ve seen folks try to “fix” things with that cheap spray foam, but it just turns into a crumbly mess after a couple seasons. I’m with you—mineral wool and fire caulk might take a bit longer, but at least you’re not tearing out drywall every few years. Ever notice how the shortcuts always end up being the long way ‘round?
I get what you’re saying about spray foam, but isn’t there a bit of a trade-off? I mean, I’ve used the low-VOC, closed-cell stuff a few times where I just couldn’t get mineral wool to fit, and it’s held up surprisingly well—at least for sealing out drafts. Yeah, it’s not mouse-proof (what really is?), but if you’re careful about moisture and UV, it doesn’t always crumble.
Aren’t there spots where mineral wool’s just too bulky or awkward? Under my old kitchen sink, it was a nightmare. Ended up using a combo—tight pack of wool, then a bead of fire caulk around the edges. Not perfect, but better than nothing. I get wanting to avoid shortcuts, but sometimes you gotta pick your battles unless you want to demo half your house.
Curious if anyone’s had luck with those steel wool pads? Heard mixed things—some folks swear by them, others say mice just chew right through.
Steel wool’s a mixed bag in my experience. It’ll slow mice down, but if you don’t pack it tight enough or back it with something else, they’ll just push through or pull it out. I’ve seen folks have better luck with copper mesh—doesn’t rust, less likely to break down over time. Under sinks and tight spots, I usually go with fire caulk and a bit of mineral wool if I can wedge it in. Spray foam’s fine for drafts, but for code compliance around pipes, especially with fire rating, you gotta be careful—inspectors in my area are picky about that. Sometimes the “quick fix” ends up being more work down the line... learned that the hard way a couple times.
