Hey everyone! I'm nearly done with my condo renovation and have a couple of weeks before I move in. During my walkthrough, I noticed some pretty big gaps around the copper heater pipes (I'm using water-based heating) and a small gap between the baseboards and the vinyl floor. I want to seal these up to prevent mice and other bugs from getting in. I've read a bit on Reddit about it and would love some final opinions. Here's what I'm thinking:
For the larger holes, I plan to use fire block foam and copper wool coated with caulk. Here's my layering idea:
1. Foam (as the inner layer)
2. Copper wool with caulk
3. Another layer of foam
4. More copper wool with caulk
5. A final layer of foam to level it off with a scraper.
For the baseboard gap, I'm thinking about using painters tape to protect the surfaces. Should I go with white caulking for this, or is clear silicone a better choice? Any other suggestions or tips are highly appreciated! Thanks a ton!
3 Answers
I've been through a mouse problem myself, and I can tell you that your approach sounds solid. My partner had a brownstone that was literally infested with rats. When she remodeled the basement, the builder sealed every possible gap with coarse steel wool and mortar. They didn't have any rat issues afterward, even when neighbors started to complain about theirs. Not that steel wool and mortar are a one-size-fits-all solution, but it could definitely help!
You're definitely on the right track! However, keep in mind that if bugs are already in your walls, then those gaps are mainly just decorative. Sealing them could actually lead to dirt getting trapped in the caulk, making it look bad over time. It's better to address where they’re getting in before they reach the walls in the first place!
Yeah, if they're in the walls, it might be better to find their entry point first.
For those gaps, I used steel wool along with spray foam insulation, and it's kept chipmunks away for years. While layering like you suggested might be better, it's a bit more labor-intensive. Just make sure that wool is well-covered with foam!
Great tip! I think keeping that wool hidden is key to getting the best results.
Totally agree! Steel wool combined with some filler like foam or mortar works wonders at keeping critters out.