Metal edging can be a real puzzle, especially when you’re trying to figure out if that stain is new or just leftover from years ago. I’ve had tenants call me in a panic over what turned out to be nothing more than an old water trail—sometimes it’s just dust patterns or insulation shifting around. Have you noticed any musty smell, or is it just visual? I always wonder if those foam inserts are worth the hassle, since squirrels seem to treat them like a buffet. Did you end up replacing any of the edging, or just reseal it?
I always wonder if those foam inserts are worth the hassle, since squirrels seem to treat them like a buffet.
Totally agree—those foam inserts are basically squirrel snacks in my neighborhood too. I tried them once and within a month, little teeth marks everywhere. I ended up just resealing the edging with a good quality sealant and skipped the foam. Haven’t had any leaks since, but I do check for musty smells every spring just in case. Sometimes it’s just old stains, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.
those foam inserts are basically squirrel snacks in my neighborhood too
- Had the same issue—foam lasted maybe two weeks before the critters shredded it.
- Switched to metal mesh strips instead. Bit more work, but nothing’s chewed through yet.
- Sealant alone worked for a while, but I noticed some minor drafts near the edges last winter. Maybe it’s just my old house?
- Curious if anyone’s tried those expanding closed-cell foams—they’re supposed to be tougher, but I haven’t tested them myself.
Metal mesh seems to be the only thing that holds up around here too. I tried the foam inserts when I first moved in—looked neat for about a week, then the squirrels basically turned them into confetti. Didn’t even slow them down. I guess it’s like a buffet for rodents.
Swapping to mesh was a pain (especially on a steep roof), but it’s been solid since. I used some leftover hardware cloth from a garden project and just cut it to fit under the edging. Not the prettiest, but no more chew marks or random daylight peeking through.
Sealant’s hit or miss for me. I used some around the chimney flashing last fall, and it held up okay, but there’s still a little draft when the wind really gets going. Old house problems, maybe? Sometimes I think these places just want to breathe whether we like it or not.
Haven’t tried those closed-cell foams yet. A neighbor swears by them, but he’s also got a newer roof and barely any trees nearby, so maybe his critters are lazier than mine. I’d be worried about trapping moisture, honestly—my attic’s already got enough weird smells going on.
If anyone’s dealing with raccoons instead of squirrels, metal mesh is still your friend. Those guys are like tiny burglars with thumbs... they’ll rip right through anything soft. Learned that one the hard way after finding paw prints in my insulation.
Anyway, if you’re patching up an older roof, just expect to do a little trial and error. Nothing seems to be truly “critter-proof,” but metal at least gives you a fighting chance.
Funny you mention the “breathing” thing—my place is 1940s, and I swear it’s got more hidden gaps than actual insulation. I tried the foam route too, thinking it’d be a quick fix, but all it did was invite a mouse party. Metal mesh has been the only thing that stands up to the local wildlife circus. I used stainless steel mesh from an old gutter guard project, just bent it into place under the eaves. Not pretty, but the squirrels gave up after a couple of weeks.
Sealant’s always been a mixed bag for me as well. I’ve had spots where it held for years, and others where it peeled off after one winter freeze-thaw cycle. I’m with you on the moisture worries—closed-cell foam sounds great in theory, but in an older attic that already smells like a thrift store basement? No thanks.
If you ever get tempted to try those ultrasonic critter repellents, save your money. My neighbor’s raccoons just sat on top of his while they chewed through his soffit. Metal mesh isn’t perfect, but at least it slows them down enough for me to sleep at night.