Don’t let unwanted air into your home. A hole on the exterior wall will be an open invitation for outside air to come in and indoor air to go out. Along with unwanted air flow, you may also get pests, moisture, debris, and additional damage. Solve that problem with an insulating foam sealant.
Giving a home a second chance is not always easy, but it is always worth it. It means bringing an old structure back to life, but neglecting details early in the process will mean larger and more complex issues down the road. Today, Myron Ferguson, experienced drywall and building performance contractor, finds himself at an old home working on a total gut remodel. He’s focusing on preparing the exterior walls before the fiberglass insulation is installed.
And, in this project, there are holes in the wall that need to be patched before moving onto the next step. “We need to seal every gap and crack.” Myron says. “We don’t want air moving in and out of this structure.” Myron approaches this using insulating foam sealant, ensuring he covers up any gaps that may create the opportunity for air leakage.
Here’s how he does it.
An airtight seal means a structure is protected from escaping air and penetrating moisture. If a structure or home has air flowing out or in from unpatched holes, it causes the loss of energy and invites outside elements and pests into the home.
The solution is to seal any holes in the wall to create an airtight seal. New homes may already address air leakage issues in the building phase. Older homes, however, present more of a challenge for contractors like Myron. These old structures have often taken quite the beating over the years and the holes are often hidden, tucked away, or hiding behind insulation or other structures.
In Myron’s recent remodel project, they are “concentrating on getting all the exterior walls ready to install the fiberglass insulation. That means we have to seal up any gaps.”
Patching holes is not simply a cosmetic issue. It impacts the functionality and efficiency of the home. When a hole is left untreated, the home’s air efficiency will be compromised. Impact to the home will be the following:
- Penetrating air from outside. When your exterior wall is compromised, outside air will come in, bringing with it moisture, dust, and debris. This can create further damage to the surrounding area.
- Escaping inside air. If any part of your wall is allowing air to escape, this means that the energy you are spending trying to regulate your home’s temperature is quickly escaping. This makes your HVAC system work twice as hard and raises your energy bills.
- Unwanted pests. Just as air from outside comes in, small insects and pests are likely to crawl their way in as well. This invites all kinds of problems into your home and opens the door for infestations and other issues.
- Increased damage. A hole in the wall is damaging to any home. Depending on the size of the hole, it can cause structural damage or compromise surrounding structures.
When it comes to patching holes in the wall, there are several approaches a homeowner can take. A lot depends on where the damage is and the material of the wall.
Today, Myron is looking at a hole in the exterior wall that is about 2 and a half inches in diameter. “For the big hole,” he says, "we're using the Loctite Tite Foam Big Gaps.” Other areas, however, that have smaller holes can be filled with the Loctite Tite Foam Gaps and Cracks. The latter can fill holes up to one inch wide.
Myron chooses to use Loctite Tite Foam Big Gaps insulating foam sealant to plug these holes.
Here’s why:
- Specially engineered material that expands to fill: The spray foam will expand to fill gaps up to 3 inches wide.
- Premium durability for long-lasting results: The materials high-density and UV resistance make it a formidable foe to harsh environments.
- Superior flexibility that works with different materials: Loctite foam adheres to different materials and easily withstands movement without compromising the seal.
- High density foam with unique compounds to ensure air-tight seal: The uniform cell structure creates overall durability.
- UV resistance: Especially when plugging holes in exterior walls, UV resistance is necessary to ensure a durable bond that doesn’t disintegrate with the elements.
In the many remodels he works on, Myron has a process he follows to ensure an airtight seal around the home. The good thing about using Loctite products is that the process is relatively straightforward and does not require a lot of materials or tools.
When sealing a hole in the wall with Loctite Tite Foam Big Gaps or Loctite Tite Foam Gaps & Cracks, all you need is the insulating foam sealant, a pair of safety goggles to keep material out of the eyes, gloves to protect the hands, and cleaning materials to clean surrounding area.
Step 1: Myron inspects the home by doing a thorough walk through, looking for holes along the exterior walls. This type of damage can be found in corners, along the side walls, or near windows and doors.
Step 2: Clean the area. Insulating foam sealant adheres better when the area is free of dust and debris. For this, Myron takes a small vacuum and scoops up all the surrounding dirt and cobwebs that might be around the area.
Step 3: Use Loctite Tite Foam Big Gaps to create an impenetrable seal within the hole.
Part of Myron’s mission is to take an old home and give it what it needs so that it has a second chance at life. This often involves sealing holes in the wall, sealing around window frames and doors, and ensuring a tight seal throughout the attic. For these jobs, Loctite Tite Foam Big Gaps and Loctite Tite Foam Gaps and Cracks are multi-purpose tools to help enhance a home’s overall performance and standard.