What is the best way to fill a hole?

[swa110w]

I live in a first floor flat in a late 90s building. The build quality isn't that great as smells tend to waft up from the flat below into my kitchen, bathroom, and airing cupboard - wherever there is shared pipework, I guess. I don't mind the occasional smell of food but it is the smell of smoke that really gets up my nose!

I've managed to plug most of the gaps in the kitchen and bathroom using rags - simple but it appears to have done the trick. I'm having trouble with the airing cupboard though. It is not very accessible. As far as I can tell there is just the one hole going into the wall but with the whopping great big boiler in the way, it is hard to tell.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can plug the remaining hole? I would try stuffing another rag in there but with it being hot water straight out of the boiler, I'm concerned it might, I dunno, melt it! I'm loathed to try expanding foam, mainly because of the mess it can cause, but also because of the poor access to the hole. Ideally, I could do with some sort of flange (I hope that's the right term!) that could just tidy up the hole and make it flush with the pipe.

Any suggestions?

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

I'd try fibreglass or Rockwool, wear gloves though and long sleeves else you'll be itching for weeks afterwards.

On a more serious note, how the hell did that build ever get past Building control? Its a fire hazard apart from anything else, if you can smell things from downstairs, I wouldnt rate your chances if the flat below caught fire.....

 

[tamz]

Intumescent expanding foam. Available from most plumbers/builders merchants for around a fiver a can.

 

[Paul Barker]

Yes it is a shame you are in this situation.

If you were in a position to lift the floorboards you would be well advised to do so and fill the space between the jhoists with rockwool flexi which is available in 400mm and 600mm slabs to retro fit. ~It would buy you 20 minutes fire protection offer some sound proofing and a little insulation.


Very unlikely you would want to go to this extent. Depends how long you envisage staying.

No grants available I am afraid.

 

[swa110w]

Thanks for suggestions everyone!

For the time being, I've shoved a rag in the hole. I've also cleaned out the airing cupboard, aired it, and put an air freshener in there. So we'll see how it goes.

I'm not planning to live here for many years, so I'll just try and put up with it until I move (or the place burns down!)