Spray foam insulation in cans

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Spray foam insulation in cans

JayADee

2029 posts

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#288651 15-Jul-2021 07:22

Hi all,

I have some holes where wires come up through floors and plumbing pipe gaps too I want to fill so I bought a can of that expanding spray foam insulation, which I have never used before.

It isn’t cheap so I'm wondering can I do a few holes I can get at easily now and save the rest of the can for when it's warmer and I feel like getting filthy crawling under the house to do the rest or will the insulation foam totally clog the applicator after which I will have to throw the can out?

Thank you for any advice!

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cshwone

891 posts

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#2744340 15-Jul-2021 07:25

I used a wooden skewer to clear the applicator after first use in a similar situation

Ge0rge

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#2744342 15-Jul-2021 07:32

It's generally accepted that one can is good for one use - you may be able to clean the applicator out well enough, as suggested above, to then store and use again however it only takes the smallest amount to set in the tube or nozzle and that can is wasted.

xpd

Trash bandit
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#2744345 15-Jul-2021 07:53

I've used that stuff a bit, and while the stuff can jam up the nozzle, I've always been able to clear it again enough for re-use.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon

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JayADee

2029 posts

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#2744346 15-Jul-2021 07:59

Great thanks! I'll risk it I think and use a skewer as mentioned and attempt to clean it enough for reuse and hope for the best.

timmmay

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#2744347 15-Jul-2021 08:07

Is it like spray paint that you spray it upside down for a few seconds to clear it before you put it away? On the rare occasions I use it I think it's a single use kind of thing.

JayADee

2029 posts

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#2744351 15-Jul-2021 08:14

timmmay:

Is it like spray paint that you spray it upside down for a few seconds to clear it before you put it away? On the rare occasions I use it I think it's a single use kind of thing.

Yeah that's it. Except you hold it upside down to spray it so maybe upright to clear it.
I didn’t realise till the other day how much cold air comes through where wires and pipes are even with underfloor insulation.

rogercruse

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#2744360 15-Jul-2021 08:32

Don't forget to use the can in a up-right position - otherwise you'll get gas but no form.

mdf

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#2744558 15-Jul-2021 13:21

IME it's a one time use, _except_ with the proper cleaning solution: https://www.bunnings.co.nz/gorilla-500ml-click-and-fix-expanding-foam-cleaner_p0559404

This stuff is well worth it, I use it all the time.

neb

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#2744679 15-Jul-2021 16:27

One thing to be aware of, if the penetration is through something that's acting as a firewall then you can't use standard spray foam but need to use fireblock sealant...

JayADee

2029 posts

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#2745500 17-Jul-2021 07:50

neb: One thing to be aware of, if the penetration is through something that's acting as a firewall then you can't use standard spray foam but need to use fireblock sealant...

Thanks. None are firewalls I don’t think, mainly holes in the floor where pipes drain like the bathtub, laundry tub and kitchen sink or other plumbing goes up into walls. Plus a couple holes up under the floors that exit into walls that have electrical wires. And one gap in the toilet wall where a metal flange was causing some weeping (and thence mould) when it touched the wall. I've had it mould free for a year now by scraping and cleaning the mould, repainted and made an 'air gap' around the pipe so it doesn’t touch the wall. A plasterer told me insulating the pipe would solve the condensation so I thought spray foam might to the trick there too.

A lot of these places are covered by cabinets etc so I'm going to have to get under the house but the ones I can do from up top I'd like to do now and the rest later which is why I was asking if I can re-use the can. :)

Wish I had known about this stuff when we were renovating. You'd think plumbers would have done it at the time!

neb

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#2745913 17-Jul-2021 19:20

Another interesting use for spray foam is when you've got gib with not enough space behind it for wall anchors, e.g. gib over battens nailed to a concrete block wall. Drill holes, spray some foam through them, and put the screws into the hardened foam, which creates an instant anchor.

Huntakillaz

183 posts

Master Geek

#2746142 18-Jul-2021 08:51

We had windows installed recently and they used this:

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/gorilla-click-and-fix-foam-gun_p0519984

is so much better and works great, guy said never had issues with not being able to reuse cans with this.

Kickinbac

357 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2747328 20-Jul-2021 20:15

You can get Gorilla Smart Expanding Foam which has a sealable nozzle so you can store it for a few weeks between uses.