Old denim scraps? That’s a new one for me, but I can see how that’d work. Plus, it’s way less itchy than fiberglass.
- Denim’s smart—never thought of that either.
- Steel wool and caulk combo is classic, but I’ve had mice chew through if I didn’t pack it tight enough.
- Hardware cloth: yeah, cutting it sucks unless you’ve got aviation snips. Regular scissors = instant regret.
- Ever try using expanding foam for gaps? It’s messy but fills weird spots fast. Downside: not great near heat sources.
- Curious if anyone’s tried those spray-on insulation kits—worth it or just hype?
Expanding foam is a double-edged sword for me—used it once to seal up a weird gap behind my water heater, and it did the trick, but man, that stuff sticks to everything. Had to scrape it off my hands for days. I’ve never tried the spray-on insulation kits, though. Are they any better for tight crawl spaces, or just as messy? Also, anyone ever use copper mesh instead of steel wool? I heard it’s better for rodents but haven’t tested it myself.
Expanding foam’s a wild ride, isn’t it? I’ve had it bond to my skin like superglue—learned the hard way to always wear gloves. As for those spray-on insulation kits, they’re just as messy if you’re not careful, maybe even worse in cramped spots since the nozzle can go rogue. On copper mesh: I swapped out steel wool after mice chewed right through it. Copper’s pricier but doesn’t rust or fall apart over time, and rodents seem to hate it more. Worth the investment if you’re patching up problem areas.
Copper mesh really does seem to be the way to go for rodent-proofing. I tried steel wool too, but after a couple of months, I noticed little bits of it rusting and falling out—plus, the mice just pushed it aside. The copper’s held up way better in my basement vents.
On the expanding foam front, I’m still trying to figure out the best way to control the mess. I’ve heard some folks use painter’s tape to mask off the area, but I always end up with more foam than I need. Has anyone found a trick for getting a cleaner application? Or maybe there’s a brand that’s less prone to going wild?
Also, curious if anyone’s had luck with those DIY spray insulation kits in really tight crawlspaces. I’ve been thinking about tackling the space under my stairs, but I’m worried about overspray and breathing in fumes. Did you use any special gear or just power through with a mask and goggles?
Painter’s tape helps a bit, but I’ve found using a damp rag to wipe the nozzle between bursts gives you more control. Short, quick squeezes—never one long spray. As for brands, Great Stuff Pro is a little less wild than the regular cans, in my experience. For crawlspaces, I’d never skip a decent respirator and goggles... those fumes are no joke, and it gets everywhere if you’re not careful. I tried it once under my porch—took longer to clean up than to spray.