Expanding Foam

[cabinetman]

Has anyone tried the squirt in expanding foam insulation? I'm wondering how effective it is and how to judge how much to use to fill in gaps.
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[Handy Al]

IF you are using around windows and doors, use the low expanding version to keep from pushing the frame out of square.

[Cheeky]

i've tried the Hiliti and Great Stuff, and one other brand that comes in a black can (not so good).

there is no difference between the Hilti and Great Stuff, just the price (Hilit is more expensive).....both work well.

i used a cheap jamb saw to shave the excess off.

very good product.

btw, there's a pro nozzle and pro pack at HD. benefits of this is if you will be using it quite a bit, it's easier to clean and dispense, and the price is better per weight.

and what Al said

[Slik Geek]

Just don't get the foam on your clothing. It may never come out. DAMHIK.

[cabinetman]

Got a coupla questions. How do you know how much to squirt in? How long does it take to cure?
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[ironhat]

You really can't tell, cabman. It's little more than a crapshoot. I did it successfully in a cavity in my shop between the T1-11 exterior and the OSB interior. No spread but I have no clue how well it spread. I noted that the stuff was no longer sticking to my testing finger after about 30 minutes but cure time might be available on their website. HTH.

[Bruce Cohen]

DO NOT use it to fill space between sheetrock, I've seen it blow out the rock. Use much less than you think you need, the stuff (even the "lower expanding" version grows to a huge size and the stuff cures (and continues to grow) in about 15 minutes.

Also, its real flammable, so don't use it near an open flame. My neighbor set his laundry room on fire sealing up gaps, the pilot light of his gas fired hot water heater was enough to set the fumes off.

Good luck, I'd look for other ways (like silicon caulking) to "plug the gaps".

Bruce

[billwmeyer]

Foam

I have used it a lot. I think mainly that I have used the Great Stuff brand. There are 3 formulas, that I know of. One formula is for windows and doors, and as mentioned before if you use the other formulas there, it can bow the windows or make the door impossible to close. The other are a maximum expanding foam and a gaps and cracks formula. I mainly use the gaps and cracks type.

My word of caution is to wear disposable gloves, because this stuff will not come off your hands for 3 to 4 days. I have had good luck trimming it with a serrated knife.

Bill

[lrogers]

One other word of caution, don't try to use an extension wand to get further into what ever you are trying to insulate. When the extension blows off, that stuff goes EVERYWHERE! It is a real pain to try and get off a swash plate, control rods, and other bits of a rotor head control system.
On the plus side, it will provide your spouse with countless hours of amusement!

[cabinetman]

I'm gonna try it today. I'm filling in around some windows I installed in masonry. I need to fill the gap between the window and the block, so when I cement around the window there is something to back up. I'll probably practice before hand to figure out how much to squirt. I'm also wondering if there are a few different spots to fill, does the stuff expand in the spray head and clog it up or is there a way to keep it clean and working?
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[jhart]

I'll vouch for the fact that it doesn't come off hand, gloves and clothes.
I've used great stuff mainly and have not found a way to save it from clogging up and hardening after using some of it thru the tube spout.
C'man, just start slowly spraying it and see how much it expands. You can always add more if necessary.

[Tequila]

I've used it a lot on older homes, works great for filling cracks when you don't want to rip everythign apart to reinsulate.

The nozzle doesn't harden up as long as you're using it - anything that starts to harden gets displaced when you pull the trigger the next time. I've gone for at least 1/2 hour between uses with no problems. The Hilti brand has a resealable nozzle that lets you store it for later. The Great Stuff brand is pretty much impossible to use again the next day.

The best way to make sure you don't overexpand is to put in much less that you think you need, wait 15 minutes, then go back and fill with more. After a few uses you'll get the hang for how much expansion to expect.

Plan on the following accessories:
- Clothes you don't care about - once the stuff touches your clothes, you'll never get the stain out.
- Latex gloves: It will stain your skin for days, and it's so sticky that you'll end up getting it on everything else you touch before you realize it.
- a roll of paper towels: the foam in the tube expands after you let go of the trigger, so there's always a little extra dripping to clean up.
- some old newpaper: to put the can on top of - it will catch any extra foam dripping when you're not paying attention.

[JimD]

The only thing I will add is overfilling is an issue when the cavity is closed and there is no place for the expanding foam to go. If the foam can readily expand, it is safe to squirt in plenty, the Great Stuff expands at least 3 to 1 so you certainly don't need to fill it but it also expands somewhat unevenly so I fill at least half the cavity.

Jim

[Hellrazor]

Cabinetman,

Depending on the gap size, use backer rod instead. Otherwise make sure you use the door/window variety. It will expand about 4-5 times over.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Great stuffs expansion is so strong that it will compress a 26 gauge HVAC pipe. Pretty impressive.

As far as measuring expansion, its just a feel thing. I would say expansion in a small area such as between window jamb and stud would be around 5x.