Secret uses for Styrofoam that billions of people don’t know about. Permanent waterproofing!

While Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene or EPS) has some unique properties, claiming it provides “permanent waterproofing” is a significant overstatement and could be misleading. It’s crucial to understand its limitations. However, it does have some lesser-known uses, particularly related to insulation and moisture resistance, that are worth exploring.  

Here’s a breakdown of Styrofoam’s properties and some of its less common applications:

Styrofoam’s Properties:

• Moisture Resistance: Styrofoam is relatively resistant to water absorption, but it’s not completely waterproof. Water can still penetrate it over time, especially if it’s damaged or under pressure.  
• Insulation: It’s an excellent thermal insulator, which is why it’s used in building insulation and packaging.  
• Lightweight: It’s very light, making it useful in buoyancy applications.  
• Chemical Sensitivity: Styrofoam can be dissolved by certain solvents, which limits its use in some applications.  

Lesser-Known Uses:

1. Soil Aeration and Drainage:
   • Small pieces of Styrofoam can be mixed into soil to improve drainage and aeration, particularly in container gardening. However, there are concerns about it breaking down into small particals, that stay in the enviroment for long periods.  
2. Floatation:
   • Its buoyancy makes it useful in DIY floatation devices or for creating floating garden beds.  
3. Crafts and Modeling:
   • Styrofoam is easily cut and shaped, making it popular for crafting and model building.  
4. Creating textured finishes:
   • Styrofoam can be disolved with certain solvents, and then the resulting mix can be used to add texture to surfaces.  

Important Considerations:

• Environmental Concerns: Styrofoam is not biodegradable and can persist in the environment for centuries. It also releases harmful chemicals when burned. Therefore, responsible disposal and alternatives should be considered.  
• Not Permanent Waterproofing: While it resists water, it’s not a reliable long-term waterproofing solution for critical applications like foundations or roofs.
• Chemical Interactions: Be cautious when using Styrofoam near certain chemicals, as it can dissolve or degrade.

In summary, Styrofoam has useful properties, but it’s essential to understand its limitations and environmental impact.