Homeowners are being warned against installing spray foam loft insulation by legal property experts, amid a rise in lenders refusing mortgages and homes potentially being rendered uninsurable.
Experts from law firm mfg Solicitors are urging people to find alternative ways of insulating their homes, warning they could end up forking out thousands of pounds to remove the spray foam if they have any chance of selling their property, remortgaging, or releasing equity.
Spray foam insulation is a chemical product applied using powered sprays. The foam then expands and turns into a solid coating which insulates roofs, lofts, walls and floors.
Beverley Clinton, a legal assistant in the firm’s Residential Property Division, said there were two types of spray foam loft insulation – open-cell, which allows moisture to escape, and close-cell, which reduces air circulation.
When used in roofs and lofts the close-cell insulation can eventually trap moisture around wooden joints, leading to rot. The hardened foam can also warp wooden beams, create mould and release toxic vapours.
Ms Clinton added: “This type of insulation is very difficult to remove and so many mortgage providers and equity release companies refuse to lend on homes that contain it, even if it has been installed by a reputable firm.
“Surveyors are also becoming more vigilant with this type of insulation and insurance companies can refuse to insure properties that have it.”
The warning comes after a couple from Stoke-on-Trent lost almost £11,000 of savings in a spray foam insulation scam that left their house unsellable.
Six months later, the couple made an offer on another property and were in the process of selling their own home when the buyers surveyor’s report raised concern regarding the spray foam insulation – basically drawing attention to homes containing that type of insulation were “un-mortgageable”, so they needed to pay for its removal if they had any chance of selling their house. They were forced to hire a specialist removal company and hire two skips, at a cost of £5,490.
Ms Clinton added: “Obviously due to cold weather and people trying to keep their homes warm to cut down heating bills, spray foam loft insulation is something people might well consider.
“However, we have seen an increase in property sales falling through because of spray foam insulation and although it has been on a list of approved government measures for a number of years, the public should be aware of its long-term effect on their property and should be looking for an alternative.”
The Downsides of Using Spray Foam Insulation in Homes
1. It Can Lead to Mold
Spray foam insulation mold problems are quite common. Especially with closed-cell spray foam, which is rigid. Mold and mildew can begin growing behind the insulation which can go unnoticed until it’s already become a huge problem. This often happens when the spray foam isn’t installed correctly and space is left between the insulation and the wall, which allows moisture in and gives mold the perfect place to grow, unfettered.
2. It Can Have a Foul Odor
Spray foam insulation is mixed on the job site, and improper ratios of chemicals are common. This creates spray foam with a foul odor that can be unbearable. Some residents have even had to evacuate for months after installation because of the smell of spray foam insulation mixed with a bad ratio. This is one of the most common spray foam insulation problems in attics and wall cavities.
3. It Can Lead to Termite Damage
Another one of the most common attic spray foam insulation problems is termite damage. When spray foam isn’t installed correctly it can hide sills and joists, which can prevent home inspectors from catching termites in these areas.
2. It’s Too Airtight
One of the reasons why people like spray foam is because it fills in the gaps everywhere it’s applied. This, however, can lead to a dangerous level of airtightness in many cases. The more airtight a home is, the better its ventilation system needs to be. Lack of proper ventilation can lead to superheating, carbon monoxide poisoning, and roof damage if spray foam insulation is used in the attic.
We actually want our buildings to be well insulated and as airtight as possible and then use low-energy energy recovery ventilation or passive ventilation (windows). Air leakage through the building envelope causes moisture related issues in the structure and thereby poor indoor air quality. Super airtight buildings with continuous insulation and proper mechanical ventilation have the best indoor air quality of any buildings.
