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Question:

Pros and cons using expanding foam as insulation?

In your opinion what’s negative about using expanding foam for insulation?Currently I’m using fiber batts, R-19 and R-30 and in some places they don’t fit right or don’t fit at all in small spacesI’m concern that foam would make it hard during future repairs, specially electricAnd if there is an arch in wiring it could cause fireAnyways, thanks for advice.

Answer:

Call the Super and see if there is any opening in the bottom where you can checkIf not then you would have to call the Elevator Repair person.
Dropped Keys Down Elevator Shaft
You can use a camera to see if you're keys are down thereYou'll probably need an infrared light or a normal lightIf you do see the keys there, tie a magnet tightly to the end of a string and reach down thereUse the camera to guide the magnet.
Expanding spray foam, batt insulation, and blown fiber insulation all have their place in an energy efficient homeSpray foam is great for plugging small gaps around windows and doors, or for insulating in places where you just can't get fiber inSpray foam injected by an insulation contractor, for example Icynene insulation, is great for walls that have no insulation and only a small space between the drywall or plaster and the brickFor example, my 1920 house had double-course brick walls, 1.5 strapping, and then plaster and latheSo there was a 1.5 air gap between the inner brick layer and the plasterWhat with crumbling mortar and cold Toronto winters, we lost a lot of heat through that uninsulated wallWe spent $1500 on having Icynene injected throughout the ground floor, and it made a huge difference - added R6 and substantially reduced draftiness on the ground floorFor areas where you want to inject into a larger cavity, fiber is definitely betterI find batts much neater than blown - you really don't want to go into an attic after fiberglass insulation has been blown in there, but with batts it's not nearly as badThe material cost is usually higher with batt insulation but overall it can be cheaper because you can do it yourselfYou should never use insulating foam in attic ceilings (iethe ceiling between your living space and your attic) because it creates a vapor barrier, and you don't want a vapor barrier thereYou are right that foam is a real pain to rip out, especially if you need to take it out without damaging other things that are in the wall, such as wiringBut for those otherwise hard-to-fill spaces such as those I've described, foam is great.
If the gap between elevator and floor is large enough, block open the doors and use an inspection mirror (buy one at an auto parts store) to view more than you can see through the gapIf you see the keys and they're magnetic, you could try thatOtherwise, I'm afraid you'll have to get the elevator guy.

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