Unusual Uses For Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation is a great tool for insulating your home, especially as it can reach those tiny nooks and crannies that other insulation just can't reach. If you go the "do it yourself" route and buy cans of spray insulation for smaller jobs, you may find that you simply have too much to use. If you don't want to waste it, here are some fun and unusual uses for spray foam insulation that you may not have considered before.
Tightening knobs
If you have a drawer or door with a loose-fitting pull-knob, spray insulation could help tighten it up. Fill the screw hole with spray insulation, which will provide a solid anchor when it hardens, stabilizing your wobbly pulls and knobs.
Repair holes in hollow core doors
Hollow core doors are prone to damage, and if you get a small hole in your door, you might be tempted to replace it. Instead, try repairing it with spray foam insulation. Start by filling the hole with spray foam, then leave it overnight. Once it has expanded fully, you can shave off any excess that is sticking out of the hole, and create a smooth surface. Apply a spackling compound to help make the surface look more even, sanding it smooth after it dries. You can then paint or stain the compound to match the door, and it will be hard to tell that it ever had a hole there.
Build up your bathtub
If your bathtub gives way when you step into it, you can lend it a bit more support with a can of spray foam insulation. Insulating underneath your tub can also help keep your bath water warmer for longer, and minimize heat loss through the cracks under the bath when the tub is empty. In fact, it's a good idea to insulate all of the plumbing in your bathroom, but even if you start with the tub, you'll notice a difference.
If you can remove the front panel of the bathtub, you can easily see where the insulation needs to be applied, but even if you have to drill a small hole and use an extended nozzle, you can still insert the foam. Remember that spray foam insulation in a can can expand to 100 times its initial volume, so you may need to spray a little, and wait to see how much more is needed.
Protecting items for storage or shipping
Spray foam insulation isn't just good for preventing heat loss and tightening fixtures. It can also make a great protective packing material for shipping or storing fragile items. For smaller items, spray some of the foam insulation into a sturdy plastic bag and seal it up, then press the object you want to protect into the bagged foam to create a perfect foam mold that will harden and protect the item.
If you have larger items, you can also use spray foam insulation to protect the items during shipping or temporary storage. Wrap the object that you want to protect in 2-3 layers of plastic, making sure that the object is completely sealed. Place it in a cardboard box, and spray around the item with the foam. Once the foam dries, it will prevent the item from shifting around the box. Be careful not to get any foam on the object itself, as it is very difficult to remove without potentially damaging your object.
There are plenty of uses for the DIY spray foam insulation that comes in a can, but the most obvious use is to save you money on your heating and cooling costs by eliminating drafts and lost heat. If you really want to make sure your home is well-insulated, give your local contractor at a place like Northwest Sprayfoam Ltd insulation Vancouver a call, and look into using spray foam insulation to make your home a little cozier.
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