1

I'm about to install new canless recessed lights, but before drilling into the attic, I wanted to close a gap between an old ceiling and the new strapped ceiling to prevent any mice from getting inside so I used a low-expanding foam.

After I did it, I realized this could pose a fire hazard.

Did I make a dumb mistake and is there a way I could remedy it?

Thanks for any help.

enter image description here

enter image description here

Improve this question
3
  • 1
    Many canned lights and fixtures have information from the manufacturer regarding spacing or contact with insulation, so look there first. You may or may not have a problem.
    – blarg
    Commented Jun 12 at 11:57
  • Cut off a sample and set it on fire, and see what happens. I mean, outdoors in a controlled environment e.g. not California lol. They do make less/non-flammable spray foam for nominally firestopping. Test it -- both the Sunshine Mine and the Browns Ferry nuclear plant accidents (and for that matter, Grenfell towers) grossly underestimated the flammability of the stuff, because nobody took a sample to a campfire pit and tried lighting it. Post10 has the right idea...youtube.com/watch?v=CdItsso3ur0
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Commented Jun 13 at 1:35
  • I'll give that a try, thanks!
    – Chester
    Commented Jun 13 at 13:07

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

That foam plug will need to be removed simply because there is no room to place the light and driver box that comes with most LED canless lights.

Use the same tool you used for cutting the hole in the drywall and remove the foam. The light should be ok without anything on top of it. The driver box if separate may need something like a scrap piece of drywall to sit on. Some have holes that allow mounting with screws to wood frame members.

As others stated, refer to the manufacturers instructions, but an open area above the light is a given.

Improve this answer
6
  • OP will also need to cut a channel for cable, no?
    – Huesmann
    Commented Jun 12 at 14:06
  • @Huesmann, assuming the foam does not go all the way to the roof decking. If it does he will have to do that as well. Op stated that he foamed between the old ceiling and the strapped ceiling, so I'm thinking he has open area to run cable.
    – RMDman
    Commented Jun 12 at 14:24
  • I meant simply getting from the cavity to the "attic" space. OP will need to punch a hole and thread cable from the attic through the top layer of drywall to the cavity. I suppose he could poke a wire through the old ceiling to get an idea in the attic where the cavity is, then bore a hole through only the old ceiling.
    – Huesmann
    Commented Jun 13 at 11:30
  • Thanks for the comments, the idea was to seal the gap between the new and old ceiling so potential mice couldn't get into the cavity after cutting the hole. I updated the image to show what it looks like now.
    – Chester
    Commented Jun 13 at 13:15
  • There are models of canless lights that could work. Especially ones which are designed for retrofitting into an existing can, the electronics box might be mounted on top or have some flexibility of mounting.
    – spuck
    Commented Jun 13 at 17:19

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.