The Importance of Sealing Small Gaps Around Utilities
Utility penetrations get missed constantly because they are small, easy to overlook, and rarely inspected on their own.
Where these gaps show up
Where pipes, cables, and HVAC lines pass through an exterior wall or foundation, the gap left around the penetration is often never properly sealed, either from original construction or after later utility work.
Why they matter so much
These gaps are frequently rodent-sized (a quarter-inch or so is enough) and are easy to miss during a casual walk-around since they blend into siding or foundation texture.
What proper sealing looks like
Rodent-resistant sealant and materials the animal cannot chew through, checked on every side of the home, not just the side facing the street.