Expanding foam in a can is a great way to seal up cracks and gaps around your home. But if you don’t clean out the spray tube after using it, it can become clogged with foam, making it unable to use again.

To unclog an expanding foam spray tube, squirt liquid spray lubricant in the tube to soften the hardened foam. Then use a wire coat hanger to remove the softened foam from the tube.

Watch our video to find out more.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Joe Truini: Expanding foam sealant is a great way to seal up holes and cracks around the house and yard, especially around windows and doors. But the problem is once you use it, if you don’t clean off this nozzle, this spray tube, the sealant will harden in there and you won’t be able to reuse it.

So here’s the trick. Get a little spray lubricant and put it right into this spray tube from the sealant, and give it a couple of squirts. There you go. Just a little bit. What you’ll find is that the lubricant acts as a solvent, and dissolves the spray sealant.

And you run a wire, this is just a straightened-out coat hanger, run it through there a little bit to get out the excess. It might take two or three times to get all the expanding sealant out of there. There you go. That’s all it takes. Maybe give it one more squirt.

And what you’ll find is the tube will be clean and clear, and you’ll be able to put it back on the can and reuse it next time.


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Editorial Contributors
avatar for Joe Truini

Joe Truini

Radio Show Co-Host

Joe Truini is a contractor, author, and the host of “Simple Solutions” on Today’s Homeowner TV and the weekly Today’s Homeowner radio show. He has worked on both large commercial projects and residential remodeling, and has written for national publications such as This Old House and Popular Mechanics. He has also written eight books, including three best-selling shed-building books. Joe lives in Connecticut with his family and enjoys hiking, traveling, and baseball in his spare time.

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