[miamicuse]

I am a bit confused by all the different foam sprays in a can. GREAT STUFF, TITE etc...and they have regular, big gap, fire block, pest block, windows and doors etc...

Reading the instructions on each type of can, is to shake vigorously then fill < 50%.

Is the fire block foam truly fire resistant? Because the other stuff is labeled as flammable.

The windows and doors foam is formulated so it won't deform the frames when overfilled. So if you underfill it and check it after 2 hours (that's how long it sets therefore how long you have to wait before knowing if it needs more?). By then the can nozzle and tube are already set and blocked up right? So you need to buy two cans, use some of it out of the first can, and if you need to top off use a new can?

Since all the various types have identical instructions (fill < 50%) then they all expand at the same rate? The difference is how "hard" they expand? Windows and doors foam will expand gently the other stuff will expand to turn a Coke can into a base ball?

 

[ront02769]

Not sure what “fire resistant” Means. Great stuff Fire lock burns at around 240 degrees when cured while wood is around 325 plus. ALL of the stuff you mentioned is flammable WHILE SPRAYING due to the gas used as a propellant. Buy your foam and a can of acetone at the same time and grab a couple of strands of 14 gauge wire. After first spray, undo tube from can and run wire up and down it, maybe even pour some acetone through. You will be good for days after that. Yes to normal exerts more force o than window and door. Not sure about expansion rate.....but I normally have people give it a quick shot down filling maybe a third of the gap and then moving on. Come back later land give it another shot. If you wonder why, fill a gap at 100% and come back in a couple of hours. No joy.....but you can cut most of that huge mess away with a safety knife.

 

[de-nagorg]

As stated, get acetone, and clean the straw, as for the nozzle, I stick a panhead screw into the nozzle, after use, then later just pull the screw out, with the plug attached, and have a "new" nozzle.

Everything burns at the right temperature, the fire block, just slows the progression of fire, to give you more time to get out.


ED

 

[carpdad]

I save the straws and the screw cap (name?). So for the first time, you'd need to buy at least 2 cans. After dispensing, leave the cap on the nozzle and let it set. I find that even days and weeks, can will dispense the foam with a new nozzle. I haven't tried cleaning the stuck nozzle with acetone and will try in future. Also cleaning the straw and the cap with acetone. I cleaned them with a pick and a wire from a wire hanger. With saved straws, I can also piece 2 together for longer reach. Expand one end with an awl and little heat, then tape the joint shut.

For windows and doors, stuffing fiberglass insulation works as well. In small gaps, there is no benefit to using foam except easier install. For small gaps, you want to air seal, and there is no cost effective insulation value.

 

[stadry]

gorgie''s correct - even steel 'burns',,, best fire resist's still wood - THICK wood https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intumescent

 

[JYL]

" regular, big gap, fire block, pest block, windows and doors"

"Fire Block" is not for insulation: This is a product use by electrician, plumber and HVAC People to seal a "Floor" perforation. With the new code, every time a wire is pass between floor (sometime when trough the wall), it must be an airtight fit. That foam is one of the fastest way around this.


The difference between the Regular -- that does not expand much -- and the big gap -- that do expand a lot more. It is pretty difficult to fill a 2 or 3 inch gap with the Regular stuff. Furthermore, it does not build very well (adding several layer).


The big gap one can fill pretty wide (like 3 inch). It also build better if you do two layer.


The windows and door : "This minimal-expanding polyurethane foam with low-pressure build". If you have vinyl windows, don't use the "big gap" one. This can seriously deform the windows frame.



We often use the "regular" one for Aluminium or wood windows (when they are properly secure).



I never use the PESTBLOCK one. They come with new one every few months: (The flavor of the months!). Beside being gray, I don't know if it does anything special compare to The Gap and Crack Attacker. It think this last one is more "flexible" after installation.



The new dispenser is re-usable for up to 30 days -- without any fancy stuff. The same as for the PRO products.