As a spray foam contactor, you’re used to working with polyurethane foam daily. You’re familiar with all its benefits for home insulation and how to traditionally install it. However, what you might not know are the many other reasons consumers use spray foam. There are plenty of life hacks that consumers discovered using spray foam. If you’re surprised and curious, keep reading to discover five uses for spray foam outside of insulation that you might not know. You might even end up taking a can of spray foam home to try these tips yourself.

1. Extra Insulation Barrier

We all know that spray foam insulation is one of the best modern solutions for home insulation, but you don’t have to stop at applying it to walls, crawlspaces, attics, and windows. The strength and unique properties of spray foam also make it ideal for other insulating barriers around your home. For example, closed-cell spray foam has unique waterproof capabilities that can help prevent mold growth in your home’s insulation. Many homeowners leverage this benefit to prevent mold growth in corners of exterior walls, in bathrooms, and around the plumbing. Surrounding your plumbing with spray foam also has the added benefit of insulating your pipes during the winter to prevent them from freezing.

But the spray foam barrier doesn’t just prevent mold. Homeowners also use spray foam in cracks around their homes to keep pests out. We’ve all had a crack in our patio or porch that critters like bugs, mice, chipmunks, and more use to access our home. Consider filling these cracks with spray foam and an additional line of defense such as copper mesh. These materials can clog up openings and eliminate pests’ access points.

2. Household Life Hacks

While spray foam protects your home’s outer layer from mold and critters, you can also make use of it indoors as well. Some consumers have even gotten creative enough to use spray foam in home décor and crafts such as photo frames, carvings, and children’s school projects. The quick-expanding and drying nature of spray foam makes it easy to work with for various crafts.

Additionally, did you know that spray foam makes a great packing material substitute? Whether you’re all out of packing materials or you need something stronger than crumpled-up newspapers, spray foam can help. Line your storage or shipping box with a layer of spray foam on the bottom, then add layers of your wrapped items. Placing wrapping around your items will ensure easy removal later.

3. Concrete Raising

Contractors can use polyurethane foam to raise concrete and other stone surfaces. This foam is strong enough to level sidewalks, driveways, roadways, and even concrete foundations for homes and commercial buildings. The process is simple—a contractor drills a series of small holes into the concrete material and injects the foam mixture. This mixture then expands and levels the sinking concrete. Polyurethane foam is strong enough to hold up to decades of harsh weather conditions. It also prevents erosion, making it a great concrete raising choice.

4. Landscaping

If you’re looking for a solution for smaller landscaping projects across your property, you might be able to utilize spray foam for these, too. For example, if you’re interested in creating a rock garden or backyard oasis, you can use spray foam to secure decorative rocks and other features. The waterproofness of spray foam is extremely useful for building backyard ponds and water features; you can use spray foam to fill cracks and holes that the water won’t be able to flow through. You can also use spray foam to repair parts of your backyard pool, gutters, and other places you need to waterproof. Back inside, finish up by fixing your wobbly shower head with the help of closed-cell spray foam. Just fill the gap behind your shower head’s plate and wait for it to dry completely before your next shower.

5. Noise Blocker

Something you may have noticed after completing a spray foam insulation job is just how noise cancelling spray foam insulation can be. A garage or home without insulation versus is completely different from one with insulation. This means spray foam can also be a great noise-cancelling solution for other areas around your home. Is your plumbing or ductwork noise getting too loud? Consider lining your pipes with a layer of spray foam to insulate the noise of running water. While you’re soundproofing your plumbing, you can also use spray foam on the gap between your sink to insulate and provide noise control. This will be especially noticeable if you have an aluminum or stainless-steel sink, as the metallic noise can be quite loud.

What Makes Spray Foam So Useful?

But why do homeowners turn to spray foam for all these hacks in the first place? Many of these hacks revolve around a certain type of spray foam—closed-cell foam. This type of foam is water-resistant, which is extremely useful for insulation in humid climates. Another benefit of spray foam is its strength and long-lasting durability. Professional spray foam can last for decades—even entire lifetimes—with the right care. This means you won’t have to keep repeating these household hacks by reapplying spray foam. Think of all the time you’ll save! These household hacks utilize the same benefits that keep your home’s temperature regulated and prevent mold from growing behind your drywall and taking over your house.

Are you planning to try any of these five uses for spray foam that you didn’t know about previously? If you’re interested in finding new ways you can use spray for your business or at home, consider investing in a new spray foam insulation system that can reach into these smaller spaces for residential use. Here at Spray Foam Systems, we offer a wide range of spray foam machines in assorted sizes and styles. We’ll get you set up with new or used systems for your spray foam business and can help answer any questions you might have about the process. Give us a call any time. We look forward to working with you.