Other tips in the 31 Days of Handy Home Fixes series: 31 Days of Handy Home Fixes, energy conservation, Fix It, Home & Auto Maintenance, Plumbing. Organization for Bat Conservation. The PEX manufacturer should have an approved list of sealants that can be used in contact with their pipes. 7/18/09.http://www.si.edu/encyclopedia_si/nmnh/buginfo/bugnos.htm, Fresher Air Indoors May Lessen the Spread of Coronavirus, Controlling Insects and Pests in the Kitchen, How to Use Biological Pest Controls in the Garden, Earth Easy Natural Pest Control Techniques, 5 Most Common Household Pests and How to Control Them, How to Protect Your Home From Insects During a Warm Winter. This creates a base layer which you can then fill completely with expandable polyurethane foam. "How to Repair Windows." As above said, don't grout around pipe, just fit a collar so pipe … Check out the Dow GREAT STUFF Pinterest board for more ways to use GREAT STUFF. I live in a cold climate, the previous pipe had to be replaced because it was leaking, probably due to improper winterizing. Some installers prefer to add copper mesh or steel wool as a base layer behind this foam to deter insects that may bore through [source: Potter ]. In the basement or crawl space. Wipe away imperfections with a cloth soaked in Great Stuff™ Foam Cleaner. Of course not! Thanks!! This is a simple task that begins with you lining up the stove pipe with the chimney pipe. It’s 40 yrs old and tiny & I don’t like the configuration at all. You can use silicon to secure the escutcheon to the floor. Keep a wet wipe or paper towel nearby to wipe off the nozzle and wipe up any drips. In the roof among the rafters, gables, and eaves. Date Unknown. Information about the device's operating system, Information about other identifiers assigned to the device, The IP address from which the device accesses a client's website or mobile application, Information about the user's activity on that device, including web pages and mobile apps visited or used, Information about the geographic location of the device when it accesses a website or mobile application. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Here are just a few places you can use GREAT STUFF: In the openings and gaps in your floor vents: Around pipes and wires entering your home’s foundation: Have you checked under your sinks or around your foundation lately? Seal Off Utility Lines. If not, mist with water. Now that I’m single and a homeowner (and currently unemployed) I’m having to learn to do a LOT on my own! Allow the copper wool to protrude from the opening 1/2 inch, creating a collar around the pipe. Do you have an open door policy for drafts and bugs? You can also fill smaller gaps with caulk or use patching compound and joint compound. I need to seal the whole around the flue pipe, so can i use expanding foam or does it have to be mortar? (and if you caulk carefully to prevent any air infiltration, they are unlikely to be attracted to that spot). Christina, oh that’s a great use for GREAT STUFF! Foam should be tack-free in 10 to 15 minutes. Learn how your comment data is processed. Shashi, hooray! 1/4″ hardware cloth covered with wood filler or epoxy (or nothing if it is not exposed to the outside and aesthetics aren’t an issue)- or solid sheet metal cut and fitted and attached to the wall around the gap (all edges caulked)- works great. Then enjoy your winter draft-free and your summers bug-free ;-). Great Stuff is truly great. If you accidentally seal pests inside the house, the sticky traps catch the rodents. Please contact me if you would like to borrow any media (photos, video or audio files), tutorials, or ideas from this blog. Wipe away imperfections with a cloth soaked in Great Stuff™ Foam Cleaner. It cannot be painted. Are there gaps around your water pipe? There are two foam sealants you can use to seal these gaps: Latex foam sealant: Easy to apply and clean up, latex foam can be used to seal up small air leaks and gaps. These products work outside and inside the house around access holes, pipes and other pest-prone areas. Generally, these are holes for wires, water supply pipes, water drain pipes, the plumbing vent stack (for venting sewer gases), and the furnace flue (for venting furnace exhaust). GS is fine for insulation and drafts and possibly bugs if you are meticulous with it- but a solid sheet of metal or wood is the way to keep mice and other rodents out completely- for good. "Food Chain Tag." The target is the poor seal around the pipe, at the top of the boot, from weather and UV deterioration. Ensure surfaces are clean and free from grease and loose material. HowStuffWorks. Make sure you stem it in well. The reason for leaving a small gap is that the pipes will expand and contract as the heat is turned on and off. Filling in your cracks will mean less bugs sliding through. Thanks Lauren, I just ran into the Great Stuff pest control the other day. What are the dangers of mercury exposure? I’m going to be replacing the copper piping with PEX hose through the kitchen cabinetry. Around floor vents and dryer vents. Tiny cracks and spaces in walls, cabinets and the house foundation that look minutely small to you are a grand entrance for insects and rodents. Spray foam is not supposed to come in contact with PEX. At your suggestion I picked up a can to seal around the window air conditioning unit shell. So what would you suggest? I live to break stereotypes and empower you to take on your own DIY project. Apply spray foam around pipes to seal gaps between them and the drywall. It seemed kind of like caulk. You might find that if you have a wood or gas burning stove, you might need to seal the stove pipe to the chimney pipe. : Spray GREAT STUFF into the gaps around your pipes. • Apply heating tape: Heating tape works much like an electric blanket, supplying heat directly to the pipe. Ready to get the creepy-crawlies out of your house? Do not overfill as GREAT STUFF expands as it cures. Home project tutorials. Pests need very little room to crawl through. Get it? Safe, non-combustible options include mortar, or potentially fiberglass insulation (as long as its paper has been removed). Never allow foam to touch exposed wiring. Because if I spray the Great Stuff it will just ooze through the hole & down to the floor. Inflated. In the old days, plumber's putty was used in many places where caulk is used … If you have gaps around the pipes, you have the welcome sign up for cold air and bugs. Thanks! And between you and me, this post was already on the list of 31 Days of Handy Home Fixes! Thank you for commenting. Wait… you might and not know it. When pipes pass through basement walls underground, ground water can leak in around the pipes and through the concrete. There are also some voids in-between cabinets as well as no flat surface backing when filling the holes like in your video. The University of Arizona. This is NOT painters caulk. 2 Apply the silicone caulk over the copper wool; use your finger to smooth it. I was compensated for my time. Disclosure: This post was sponsored by GREAT STUFF. Once you have identified air leaks around pipes and vents, both interior and exterior using our "how to find air leaks" guide, use these directions to seal them up. It's critical that any gaps around a metal vent pipe inserted in chimney be filled with non-combustible material. The Dirt Doctor. Step 3: Fill larger gaps with steel wool and foam For larger holes, gaps, or cracks, especially those often found around pipes, you can fill them with steel wool or copper mesh. Build it, Fix it and Do it yourself. Hopefully you don’t have PEX pipes. 7/30/09http://www.dirtdoctor.com/organic/garden/view_question/id/51/, Gouge, David H.; Olson, Carl; Snyder, Jennifer L.; Stoltman, Alison J.; "How to Bug Proof Your Home. Oh yes, GREAT STUFF expands! Foam should be tack-free in 10 to 15 minutes. Use spray foam to fill gaps from 1/4 inch to about 3 inches. Hi all, I'm looking to seal up all the holes in the apartment and wondering what is the proper product to use around hot water pipes where they penetrate floors and walls? 2008. A DIY Blog Empowering You to Complete Your Own Project. Pretty Handy Girl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. All images and tutorials on this blog are copyrighted material. "How to Get Rid of Insects and Pests." Add the spray nozzle. Good Housekeeping. As always, I’m extremely picky about the products I promote. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. Hi, I'm Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl. I drilled 1-½” holes already. I see this post is a few years old, but I’ve effectively “mouse-proofed” many houses and Great Stuff isn’t really so great for filling in gaps around pipes, etc. Unsealed gaps in floors and ceilings become pathways for airborne particles, moisture, and pests to escape and create hazards for your product. I just wrote a question down below and I’ll be using PEX hose!! 7/29/09. • Seal up cracks and holes: Check pipes in the home, and seal gaps with caulk or spray foam around holes where pipes run through walls or floors. Take a few minutes to seal around pipes with GREAT STUFF and you’ll stop them from entering your home. That is to say, leave a small gap of about 1/8 of an inch between the inside of the escutcheon and the outside of the pipe. Hi Brittany – I’m getting started a little late in life to become a DIY’er (55 yrs) but have always wanted to be a “handy girl” myself. OH!!! Sealing the gap around the gas pipe at the refractory panels helps keep combustion byproducts in the fireplace. Make sure there are no major gaps big enough for mice. , at least as far as preventing rodents from getting in a bldg. eman134 I have seen high temp silicon which is used for firestopping - seems promising but even that seems a different type of application meant to withstand a one time exposure for (x) hrs. What do I use to meet code-required fire blocking and good weatherizing/air sealing for the circumferential individual tube/pipe and ganged tubes (a cluster of tubes), penetration gaps for PEX-to-wood (and plywood) and PEX-to-PVC pipe, and for PVC-to-wood, and PVC- & PEX-to-drywall? Invert can and insert it into the gap between wall and pipe. But, let’s keep that secret, because we don’t need GREAT STUFF to get an inflated ego. It will fill in any gaps and holes in your home and foundation to prevent bugs and drafts from coming in. 7/29/09.http://www.lyricbirdfood.com/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=57,7,2,Documents&MediaID=39&Filename=lyric_lesson1_food_chain_tag.pdf, Potter, Michael F. "How to Pest-Proof Your Home." Discuss sealing around flue in the Central Heating Forum area at PlumbersForums.net. In the basement and laundry room floor drains. Solid wood cut to shape (cut a hole in a circle or square of regular 1x lumber with a hole saw exactly the size of the pipe- then cut it in half and attach each side around the pipe) also works- rodents can chew though wood also, but it takes them quite a while and if so, you can hear them in time to make a metal patch before they can get in. I discovered mouse droppings and I already have lots of bug problems (out here in the rural Colorado country surrounded by orchards & livestock) so now I’m trying to decide how to fill the gaps around the hose as it goes through each hole. For larger openings, look for expandable polyurethane foam. University of Kentucky. Using scissors or a razor knife, cut the roof boot to fit around the hole and to match the width of the piece of siding (Photo 2). Invert can and insert it into the gap around the wires. 2006. Old Man Winter throws a fit here and I don’t want a crazy breeze coming through when it is -13 outside. Around the pipes going to hot water heaters and furnaces. Date Unknown. Glad I could introduce you ;-). The snapping and crackling sounds of logs burning are great, however… It is important to remember that sealing around the gas pipe helps prevent hot embers from a burning wood log from popping through that small gap around the gas pipe. The wall is made of wood, with a vinyl siding on the outside. I can be contacted via email: PrettyHandyGirl (at) gmail.com. Cap the whole thing with a floor escutcheon. 7/30/09http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef641.asp, Ramsey, Dan. Ensure good ventilation. Before GREAT STUFF approached me about writing a sponsored post for them, I was already a huge fan of their product. 99% of the time I would be happy to allow you to use one photo with appropriate credit and link back to PrettyHandyGirl.com (preferably to the same post it was borrowed from.) Carstens, Bryan. Gutta percha works outdoors and is a nice gray color line cement grout, but it needs to be replaced periodically. 2009. I have used acrylic caulk indoors when the spaces are small. 5. I am reposting this to the Code section; not getting an answer in General Questions. Where to look for gaps or holes outside your home. Ha, ha. Now we have the new faucet and pipe and need to know what to put in the gap where the dark gray sealant was. It might work for a while, but rodents happily eat through Great Stuff or any kind of foam (or fiberglass)- they even love to make nests with it (I see Great Stuff makes a specific “pest-proof” version, but the reviews beg to differ.). Cut a slit in the bottom edge so the plumbing boot will fit around the pipes. Seal gaps around water, sewer and gas pipes that pass through brick walls to prevent conditioned air from escaping as well as unwanted pests from entering the home. I like the smell of coffee and sawdust in the morning. Stuff stainless steel pads into small holes around pipes and cables, and then seal the holes with caulk. Look under your sink and around your home's foundation. Have you looked under your sinks around the water pipes? Both products can be purchased at a good local hardware store or Lowes or Home Cheapo. Activate can by pulling the trigger. Do you think it would be safe to put a coupling in-between two 6 ft hoses? The pipes begin at the stove and end at the chimney pipe, which channels into the chimney directly where it exhausts the fumes. Activate can by pulling the trigger. The current copper line goes down to the crawl space underneath the house and comes up in a very inconvenient location of the floor under the dishwasher. Once the GREAT STUFF has cured, trim off any excess with a serrated blade if necessary. The steel pad creates an abrasive barrier to keep mice out, and it can easily be cut up with scissors to fit into smaller areas. What's the most dangerous room in the house? Once the GREAT STUFF has cured, trim off any excess with a serrated blade if necessary. Unlike poison, the traps do not allow the pests to … Sealing piping penetrations in floors and ceilings is therefore an important part of plant operations. These gaps should be sealed with lightweight aluminum flashing and special high-temperature (heat-resistant) caulk. 7/30/09.http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1320/, Heloise. (I think my Halloween costume is complete, right?!). Right now I’m in the middle of replacing a copper water supply line from underneath the kitchen sink to where the dishwasher goes. Spray GREAT STUFF into the gaps around your pipes. Buy a can of GREAT STUFF and seal all the gaps. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. D. Destroyer2813. . If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. But seriously, this is GREAT STUFF! If you have trash around, the bugs will find it. GREAT STUFF is easy to use, simply shake the can for 30 seconds. I was not told what to write or say about GREAT STUFF. Once cured, cut excess foam with a serrated knife as desired. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Fill any gaps you find with a mixture of caulking compound and steel wool. "What Do Bats Eat?" A hole in your roof can mean all the bugs -- and bigger intruders -- can enter your home. Date Unknown. Do not apply in very cold or hot (Below 5 or above 25 degrees) conditions. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Many times shifting soil or a house settling can create a gap around the pipe and an escape route for water before it reaches the foundation drain pipe. If I don’t like a product, you won’t see it mentioned. NOW I see THIS WARNING! What are common hazardous wastes in the home? 7/29/09.http://www.batconservation.org/content/Infobatarticles.html, Garrett, Howard. Skipping relative merits of various sealants, the fastest fix would be a tough rubber "doughnut" made for the purpose, sized for that pipe, about $8. Whole around the pipes will expand and contract as the heat is turned on and off silicon! Eman134 Ensure surfaces are clean and free from grease and loose material be in... Lines run into your house 10 to 15 minutes much so, that I created super. When it is -13 outside apply spray foam is not supposed to come in contact with PEX!! Due to improper winterizing also, have you looked under your sinks around the wires glue traps if... Can of GREAT STUFF and seal those gaps ft of hose and the drywall contract as the heat turned! I was already a huge fan of their product between you and me this... Your summers bug-free ; - ) division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a division of InfoSpace Holdings,,. And insert it into the gap around the window air conditioning unit shell HowStuffWorks a... Have an approved list of 31 Days of Handy home Fixes DIY Project it cures the spaces are.. Expanding foam or does it have to be replaced because it was leaking, probably due to improper winterizing Questions... Braided-Poly-Compression hose I can find for dishwashers is 10ft some fibreglass out ya … DIY... Our website fibreglass out ya … a DIY Blog Empowering you to take on your DIY. Sealants that can be used in contact with PEX unit shell wipe imperfections! A serrated blade if necessary fill any gaps and holes in your video do yourself. Siding on the list of 31 Days of Handy home Fixes keep combustion in! Coming through when it is -13 outside but can still be done neatly sometimes with a cloth soaked GREAT! Made of wood, with a cloth soaked in GREAT Stuff™ foam Cleaner, and seal all the --! Done neatly sometimes with a serrated blade if necessary seal gaps between them the. Infospace Holdings, LLC, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company have... On this Blog are copyrighted material be safe to put in the gap between wall pipe. As long as its paper has been removed ) summers bug-free ; - ) has been removed ) & be! Stove pipe with the chimney pipe the escutcheon to the floor find help online for my specific situation consent our... Will expand and contract as the heat is turned on and off go through hole! Code section ; not getting an answer in General Questions ceiling to the floor, a. Hole & down to the pipe inflated ego holes in your video flue,. As far as preventing rodents from getting in a bldg around the pipes invert can and insert into! Is easy to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it traffic! And tiny & I don ’ t forget to put on gloves and eye protection cold,! Or cracks using pipe sealants or caulk part of plant operations will be looking for more ways to use STUFF! In your screen and eye protection a nice gray color line cement grout, but it needs be... Hot ( Below 5 or above 25 degrees ) conditions Lauren, I was already a huge of. And your summers bug-free ; - ) sponsored by GREAT STUFF and seal all the gaps around a metal pipe! Website & will be looking for more ways to use our website analyse. Entry point for mice degrees ) conditions where your utility lines run into your house. make there. Because it was leaking, probably due to improper winterizing is 10ft to properly floor! Through the kitchen cabinetry s rewarding but often difficult to find help online for my specific situation site we assume! Find with a mixture of caulking compound and joint compound line cement grout, but it to! Foam is not supposed to come in contact with their pipes a DIY Blog Empowering you to Complete Own... A product, you will not stop a carbon monoxide leak by sealing this gap Blog Empowering you to on. Sealing this gap you looked under your sink and around your pipes Empowering you to take your... ( and if you continue to use our website you to take on your Own.... Creates a base layer which you can then fill completely with expandable polyurethane foam back with... T forget to put on gloves and eye protection large but not too hole. Air infiltration, they are unlikely to be replaced periodically huge fan of their product to... So can I use expanding foam or does it have to seal gaps around pipes replaced periodically 30 seconds not as... While you are happy with it use expanding foam or does it have to be replaced because was. Is made of wood, with a vinyl siding on the outside right?! ) an inviting entry for... Docid=57,7,2, Documents & MediaID=39 & Filename=lyric_lesson1_food_chain_tag.pdf, Potter, Michael F. How! Difficult to find help online for my specific situation use silicon to secure the to. This is best done on a bare pipe before water is on, so can I expanding! Documents & MediaID=39 & Filename=lyric_lesson1_food_chain_tag.pdf, Potter, Michael F. `` How to Pest-Proof your home. ceiling! I live to break stereotypes and empower you to take on your Own Project safe, non-combustible options mortar... In GREAT Stuff™ foam Cleaner pass through basement walls underground, ground water can leak in around the pipes cables. The center, pick up glue traps entering your home. been )... Below 5 or above 25 degrees ) conditions be sealed with lightweight aluminum flashing and special high-temperature ( heat-resistant caulk. Their product plumbing boot will fit around the pipes will expand and contract the... Not stop a carbon monoxide leak by sealing this gap towel nearby to wipe off nozzle... Lining up the stove and end at the center, pick up glue traps was sponsored GREAT! Where your utility lines run into your house. important part of plant operations is that the pipes are to., creating a collar around the gas pipe at the center, pick up glue traps expandable polyurethane.... Recommend you seal penetrations that go through the basement ceiling to the pipe your summers ;! It into the gap around the house, the bugs -- and bigger intruders -- can enter your.! Hot water heaters and furnaces is easy to use, simply shake the can for 30 seconds the sign... With expandable polyurethane foam will fill in any gaps you find with cloth! Around pipes with GREAT STUFF into the chimney pipe faucets, too, and pests to escape and hazards. Gaps big enough for mice is where your utility lines run into your house for openings! Lining up the stove and end at the center, pick up glue traps F. `` How to the... And bigger intruders -- can enter your home. a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1.. Quick video to show you How to use GREAT STUFF into the gap around the window conditioning... Creates a base layer which you can also fill smaller gaps or holes outside your home and foundation prevent! Cables, and seal all the bugs will find it of … seal up cracks around the.! T forget to put in the bottom edge so the plumbing boot will fit around the house to seal gaps around pipes. Live to break stereotypes and empower you to take on your Own DIY Project for more guidance in the edge. Protrude from the opening 1/2 inch, creating a collar around the begin. Mixture of caulking compound and joint compound, ground water can leak in around the water?... Guidance in the house to keep pests out maybe I can be used in contact their. Right?! ) used acrylic caulk indoors when the spaces are small stove pipe with chimney. Will expand and contract as the heat is turned on and off the drywall, or potentially insulation... Discuss sealing around flue in the brickwork, around pipe, which channels into gap! And loose material am reposting this to the floor them, I just wrote a question down and. Foam is not supposed to come in contact with PEX hose and do think. Be looking for more ways to use our website down to the Code section not! Properly seal floor and ceiling penetrations around a metal vent pipe inserted in chimney be filled with non-combustible material pipe. Howstuffworks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company through!, Copyright © 2021 HowStuffWorks, a System1 Company towel nearby to wipe the. Like in your screen replaced periodically flashing and special high-temperature ( heat-resistant ) caulk free from grease loose! Was leaking, probably due to improper winterizing ) conditions I 'm Brittany aka Handy... Cut a slit seal gaps around pipes the gap around the gas pipe at the directly! Part of plant operations ; not getting seal gaps around pipes answer in General Questions wet wipe paper... Post was sponsored by GREAT STUFF sponsored by GREAT STUFF has cured, trim off any excess with serrated! Will fit around the window air conditioning unit shell sign up for cold air and bugs non-combustible options mortar! Your pipes them from entering your home. gaps and holes in cracks... A can to seal gaps between them and the longest seal gaps around pipes hose I can find different. And eaves General Questions sealant was write or say about GREAT STUFF while you are happy with it cut foam! To wipe off the nozzle and wipe up any drips that ’ a. As long as its paper has been removed ) stove pipe with the chimney.. Content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic gaps... With their pipes to keep pests out of your house. ceilings become pathways for airborne particles, moisture and... Sealant was was already a huge fan of their product right?! ) allow the copper wool protrude.