We live in an origninally was a small one floor cottage that has undergone at least four additions that we have been able to identify. The quality of the workmanship differs so you likely see where I'm going here. We are fortunate to have new replacement windows throughout most of the house but sealing cracks and airleaks in other areas is an ongoing battle! We are slowly winning the war.

Great Stuff is an expandable spray insulation foam that can be purchased in three versions depending on the application. The one I like is for sealing gaps and cracks. It is economical if purchased from Sam's Club in a two pack for $4.99

To Use: Unlike caulk this is a project that needs to be planned. This product performs best when the entire can is used in the same session. What I do is go through the house several times placing small post it notes where an air leak large enough to need expandable foam is. Once I have identified enough air leaks that I know will use up the can, I'm ready to start. A Warning: I highly suggest you wear old clothes and disposable gloves when working with this product! Shake the can well then screw on the included nozzle. Hold the can upside down and run a bead of the foam into the crack. Don't worry if there is some of the side of the cracks showing as the foam will expand filling entirely. Do not touch after the initial application until the foam has expanded and is dried. Now take a serrated knife and trim the foam. You can sand and paint the foam if desired. I recommend painting any foam used outdoors as it does degrade and will turn an icky brown.

Where to Use: behind electrical panels, behind not in electrical boxes, around any pipe entry into your house, where your house meets the foundation, temporary sealing of larger holes like crawlspace vents in the foundation, around ceiling light box fixtures, around windo and door frames behind the trim, between the furnance boots and floor and anywhere you have a large gap that needs sealing.

Benefits: This product effectively seals gaps with very little effort on your part. It reduces air leakage and increases the energy efficiency of your home. It helps prevent rodents and insects from entering your home once the entry points are sealed. It is a low odour, easy to use product that works as promised. On an effectiveness scale of 1 to 10 I would give this product a 10!

Warning: This product will stick to just about anything and clean-up is not easy so do be sure to wear disposable gloves, old clothes and take your time to prevent the product from going where you don't want to. In the event you drip onto a hard surface you didn't want to, wait for the foam to dry then pull off using a putty knife to help release. If it drips on carpet, allow to dry then either pick or cut out. The best advise is to prevent drips if at all possible so when moving from spot to spot, keep the can in sometype of plastic drip tray like an old margarine tub. With practice you will have no problem using this produce with minimal drippage.

Recommended: Yes