Something to block an open crack around swamp cooler?
Question:My dad kinda did a botch job on the cooler in my room. I'm happy we have it to keep us cool but there is a space around the vent where spiders, mosquitoes, even wasps come into my room! Is there some sort of expanding foam or SOMETHING that can fill that in? I temporarily fixed it by using a roll of duct tape so any bugs get stuck but that doesn't work very well and I also sprayed a bunch of RAID around there but neither does that! Maybe I can get something at the hardware store or walmart?
Answers:
do a better job with the duct tape. you can even make it look good.
They have some stuff called Great Stuff.It's in a spray can and it's expanding foam.
There is, of course, a spray can of foam than will fill the space, but you must be very conservative when applying because it EXPANDS a great deal - then you end up carving it back down. The duct tape is OK, but a really wide roll of painters tape (blue) works better and is much easier to remove. You didn't mention if the space is wood of plaster.
If it is plaster (sheetrock), just get some sheetrock patch at the paint store (comes in a gun if you like) and fill the space, or use a screen and tape method -- easy, comes as a kit at the store. Again, depending on the application plain old insulation may work.
Ask at your hardware or building supply store. There is an expanding foam used to insulate and seal gaps, and you can buy small quantities of it. I don't know any brand names. Just apply it carefully. It tends to squirt out beyond the crack if the opening is very wide at all, and it bonds almost instantly with whatever surface it hits. You might want to use some kind of backing behind the crack before you spray the foam.
Good luck.
If its in the unit its self try using tin, drill ,1/8" drill bit, and pop- rivits, and tin or a piece of flashing. Cut a piece of tin alittle bigger than the crack or hole, and you will have to have some silicone caulk to lay a bead along edge of tin drill holes one to two inches apart, all the way around the edges and poprivit it down.Allow 4 to 6 hrs. to dry.If its in a corner bend the tin to a sharp 90 degree angle to fit tight in corner. if its in the area where unit meats house all weather tape should do.Expandafoam can be messy and it turns nast brown when it is in the sun alot.
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