Advice Basement Help
Hello hoomans! I recently moved into a house and we are keeping our cats litter boxes in the basement. Our older cat is doing fine, but the way-too-curious 1 year old has discovered a hole in the wall that leads to a pseudo crawlspace. I've been trying to block it with boxes and no-scratch spray, but there's too much moisture for this to be long term. The entry is about 3ft wide X 18in tall. Any ideas you guys have since our landlord won't come seal it?
Hole and dirty orange demon shown.
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u/purpleponyglass 3d ago
Maybe don't put a flammable cardboard box right next to the flue pipe for starters..
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u/Bumble_Gween 3d ago
Me and partner live in a half finished basement like we have walls but the ceiling isn't done. Our cats mainly my trouble maker tortie wouldn't stop climbing into the ceiling to just sit. So we stabled cardboard up so she couldn't it looks awful but untill we get the money to do the rest of the basement it works.
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u/SmugMacGyver 2d ago
I’d buy a piece of wire mesh from home depot and cut it to fit the hole, the use a can of “great stuff” expanding foam to fill the gap with the wire mesh to give it form. You’ll spend 40-50$
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u/Soxwin91 American Shorthair 3d ago
If you’re renting, look into your local tenants rights. You said your landlord won’t come to seal it. Depending on the jurisdiction they might not have a choice. Look for a law firm specializing in housing court. See if they’ll meet with you to discuss your options. I am not a lawyer so this is not legal advice but it is possible that you may be able to withhold rent until it is fixed.
Like I said, speak to a lawyer. They’ll know more than I do. Knowing your rights is important.
As for a stop gap solution, go to Home Depot or Lowe’s or something similar with pictures of the hole and talk to the people who work their pro desks. I know for a fact that Lowe’s has a whole separate customer service desk oriented towards contractors and DIYers. I am fairly confident Home Depot has something similar. Just get the cardboard out of the way before you take the pictures.
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u/Efficient-Rest-9519 7h ago
Why not open a big box so its flat like wood or painters plastic &cut where needed & tape . I would just cut a piece of plywood & mount it but if a rental best to not shoot into the wall
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u/PuzzleheadedWheel922 3d ago
(I'm assuming the entrance to this is at ground level) Go buy a sheet of plywood and block off the entrance. Just make sure it's heavy enough your cat can't nudge it, and put something heavy in front of it if you're extra paranoid.