I hear you on those oddball fittings—sometimes I swear the manufacturers just toss in a random one for fun. I’m with you on mineral wool, but I’ll admit, I still use foam in spots where it’s just easier to squeeze in. Not sure it’ll last as long, but sometimes convenience wins out, right? And metal zip ties... lifesavers, but man, they can be a pain if you ever need to take something apart later. Ever tried those reusable ones? They’re not perfect, but at least you don’t have to break out the wire cutters every time.
Those random fittings really do feel like a prank sometimes—I’ve got a drawer full of “what even is this?” pieces. You’re not alone with the foam; I get it, sometimes you just need something that’ll fill the gap fast. I still lean mineral wool for longevity and fire resistance, but convenience wins more often than I’d like to admit. Reusable zip ties are a game changer for me, especially in tight spots where you know you’ll be back in there. They’re not perfect, but at least they don’t shred your hands like the metal ones when you have to undo things later.
Reusable zip ties are a game changer for me, especially in tight spots where you know you’ll be back in there.
Totally agree on the reusable zip ties—those things have saved me so much hassle, especially when I’m crawling around under the sink and realize I forgot something. I still keep a stash of the metal ones for outdoor stuff, but yeah, my hands have paid the price more than once. As for the foam vs mineral wool, I’m with you on mineral wool for anything that needs to last, but sometimes you just need to get it done and move on. Drawer full of mystery fittings here too... I swear they multiply when I’m not looking.
Drawer full of mystery fittings here too... I swear they multiply when I’m not looking.
That drawer is like a Bermuda Triangle for hardware—mine’s got bits from projects I barely remember starting. As for zip ties, reusable ones are great until you’re in a hurry and just grab whatever’s closest... usually regretted later. Mineral wool’s my go-to for pipes near the boiler, but foam sleeves are just so much quicker for the easy runs. Sometimes good enough really is good enough, right?
I get the appeal of foam sleeves—super quick, no mess—but I’ve found they don’t hold up as well in the long run, especially if you’ve got critters poking around. Mineral wool’s a pain, but it’s saved me from redoing stuff more than once. Sometimes “good enough” comes back to haunt you...
