# Blocking around pipes to prevent cigarette smoke from seeping in? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 19, 2013, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224 "2013-11-19T01:55:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/1 "2013-11-19T01:55:54Z")
Just moved to a new apartment and we discovered, to our dismay, that one or both of the people living just downstairs smoke like fucking chimneys, just about any time of day or night. The inside doors had enough gaps (we’re talking an inch underneath) that I busily set about putting in foam weatherstripping/draft stoppers, etc., and that took care of most all of it. However, I noticed a mild scent of it in the kitchen. When I opened the under-sink cabinet, I smelled it strongly, and it does seem to be strong when they’re home and not much of anything when they’re not, so it does seem to be due to active smoking and not something old. Yes, they are smoking enough that the smell is coming up around the gaps between the water pipes and the cabinet. :smack: We’re talking maybe a half-inch (give or take) circle around the pipes, in holes cut in the floor of the cabinet. I’d really like to make it easier on a plumber should something have to be serviced, so nothing like “pump a couple cans of expanding foam insulation in there,” please. Any suggestions for something to pack in the gap, before I just go get a big-ass sheet of foam padding from a craft store/hardware store/wherever and cut chunks to fit? If foam padding is the way, any suggestions for something that’s pliable enough to fit snugly into a potentially irregular shape, while still ‘solid’ enough to block airflow? (Downstairs neighbors are extremely nice, not to mention fairly quiet barring an occasional late-night TV-watching session, so that’s a good saving grace.) ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/2 "2013-11-19T03:44:08Z")
Do people fart in your general direction also? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/3 "2013-11-19T03:45:51Z")
Get fire caulking. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/4 "2013-11-19T03:59:05Z")
yeah firestop sealent is a good thing for holes where pipes or cables pass through. building supply stores will have it in caulking tubes. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/5 "2013-11-19T12:00:02Z")
Thanks! I looked it up, and one description says it’s “re-enterable/repairable” - pardon my ignorance, but does that mean it can be easily dealt with by a plumber who might have to remove pipes should something go wrong with the plumbing? > [@Jamicat](#): > > Do people fart in your general direction also? :dubious: No, as I am not a silly English k-night. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/6 "2013-11-19T14:43:50Z")
Depending on how big the gaps are you could try plumbers putty. It’s pretty easy to remove should the plumber need to access the pipe. ---
**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/7 "2013-11-19T15:03:13Z")
Something else to consider is putting positive pressure in your apartment. Get a window fan that pumps air in all the time. This could force the fumes back into your neighbors place. Of course pumping in outside air would probably raise your heating and cooling bills. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/8 "2013-11-19T15:15:17Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Thanks! I looked it up, and one description says it’s “re-enterable/repairable” - pardon my ignorance, but does that mean it can be easily dealt with by a plumber who might have to remove pipes should something go wrong with the plumbing? yes ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/9 "2013-11-19T15:16:20Z")
Thanks, all! I’ll check into the plumbers putty as well. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/10 "2013-11-19T15:50:25Z")
> [@Jamicat](#): > > Do people fart in your general direction also? :dubious: **Moderator Note** Whether this is a threadshit or an attempt at a joke, it’s not appropriate for General Questions. No warning issued, but don’t do this again. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/11 "2013-11-20T05:12:19Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > I’d really like to make it easier on a plumber should something have to be serviced, so nothing like “pump a couple cans of expanding foam insulation in there,” please. actually, the expanding foam is probably your best answer. It won’t bother plumbers – minor repairs would be done to the pipes & traps that are accessible inside the cabinet, and the foam in the opening wouldn’t bother that. A major repair would involve going into the wall to get at the pipes, tearing off the wallboard, etc., so the foam around the opening would be a very minor part of the mess. And the expasnding foam is probably the best, most airtight (smoke-tight) seal that you can get. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/12 "2013-11-20T17:00:16Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > actually, the expanding foam is probably your best answer. > > It won’t bother plumbers – minor repairs would be done to the pipes & traps that are accessible inside the cabinet, and the foam in the opening wouldn’t bother that. A major repair would involve going into the wall to get at the pipes, tearing off the wallboard, etc., so the foam around the opening would be a very minor part of the mess. > > And the expasnding foam is probably the best, most airtight (smoke-tight) seal that you can get. This is what I was thinking. Definitely no need to “pump in a couple cans” but just enough to seal up the hole. If for some reason the plumber did need to remove it, it cuts pretty easy. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/13 "2013-11-20T17:32:25Z")
vertical penetrations and penetrations between dwelling units should have firestop sealent. exposed foam is also a fire hazard. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/14 "2013-11-20T18:19:07Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > actually, the expanding foam is probably your best answer. > > It won’t bother plumbers – minor repairs would be done to the pipes & traps that are accessible inside the cabinet, and the foam in the opening wouldn’t bother that. A major repair would involve going into the wall to get at the pipes, tearing off the wallboard, etc., so the foam around the opening would be a very minor part of the mess. > > And the expasnding foam is probably the best, most airtight (smoke-tight) seal that you can get. This. You’re not trying to fill the wall or crawl space, just the opening where pipes come through. One little squirt and it’s sealed. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/15 "2013-11-20T18:33:43Z")
If you don’t want to use spray in foam gap filler just go to your local Home Depot or whatever the hardware store equivalent is in your area, and buy some water pipe insulation. It is made out of plastic foam and is made to wrap around pipes to keep them from freezing, a hollow tube of foam with a split down the side that makes it easy to fit around a pipe. It comes in about 5 foot lengths so just cut off what you need, wrap it around the pipe and push it into the gap. Maybe have to use some tape, but it will be easy to remove it you want to. And it is cheap. Spray in foam can be a pain to work with, messy, sticky, flammable. Looks like this: [https://www.google.com/search?q=foam+pipe+insulation&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=t\_-MUqaAAsj9igLVqICICg&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ\_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=934#facrc=\_&imgdii=\_&imgrc=8kl\_7g2Cit8L-M%3A%3B1Qv9pG8sCHtO-M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.homedepot.com%252Fcatalog%252FproductImages%252F400%252F17%252F17dd303e-0f05-4124-83a0-aef97b196abf\_400.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.homedepot.com%252Fp%252FFrost-King-Tubular-Foam-Pipe-Insulation-Fits-1-in-Copper-or-3-4-in-Iron-Pipes-P12XB-6%252F202262337%3B400%3B400](https://www.google.com/search?q=foam+pipe+insulation&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=t_-MUqaAAsj9igLVqICICg&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=934#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=8kl_7g2Cit8L-M%3A%3B1Qv9pG8sCHtO-M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.homedepot.com%252Fcatalog%252FproductImages%252F400%252F17%252F17dd303e-0f05-4124-83a0-aef97b196abf_400.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.homedepot.com%252Fp%252FFrost-King-Tubular-Foam-Pipe-Insulation-Fits-1-in-Copper-or-3-4-in-Iron-Pipes-P12XB-6%252F202262337%3B400%3B400) ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/16 "2013-11-21T15:07:41Z")
Could you add blocking around the apartment complex to prevent cigarette smokers from seeping in? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/17 "2013-11-21T22:34:23Z")
Another vote for expanding foam Also like the positive pressure, and in a apartment situation you may have more smoke free options then pulling outside air in. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_York](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_York](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_York)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-around-pipes-to-prevent-cigarette-smoke-from-seeping-in/674224/18 "2013-11-21T23:02:03Z")
I would get some stiff hard board, cut a hole the size of the pipe, then cut in half (to fit around pipe). Glue in position, use sealant to fill the gap.