Despite recommendations to insulate our homes, it is important to take into account potential problems. While foam insulation has been marketed as a means to save money, in fact foam insulation sprayed into a roof void can mean a property becomes unmortgageable and so loses substantial value.
Spray foam has been around for over thirty years and people have been tempted to use it as an easy way to insulate loft spaces. It is sprayed as a liquid, then expands and becomes solid. It is estimated that around 250,000 homes in the UK have had spray foam insulation installed.
The government provided green energy grants for a while, some of which could be used towards spray foam insulation, however it has become clear that there are several problems.
Spray foam insulation problems
Spray foam does not allow sufficient ventilation in the area where it is applied, which could be the roof or walls. In the roof, it can mean that moisture is trapped around wooden roof joists causing rotting. The foam can also cause roof beams to warp after it sets.
A report prepared by the Property Care Association and the RPSA in 2021 said that a surveyor who is asked to report on a property with spray foam insulation “will in all likelihood wish to recommend a cautious approach and recommend provision for early renewal of the roof and the removal of the [spray foam] insulation.”
It stated that the only way a surveyor can be sure that the roof has not been damaged by spray foam insulation is by carrying out detailed and invasive tests. The report also noted that these tests would often require the partial or full removal of the insulation which could cause irreparable damage.
Of the two types of spray foam available, open cell and closed cell, closed cell is the most problematic, however open cell can also trap water vapour according to the report, and this can cause wood to rot.
The chemicals included in spray foam are toxic and homeowners should leave their property for 24-72 hours after the treatment has been completed.
Mortgage implications of spray foam insulation
When surveyors report to mortgage lenders on the presence of spray foam insulation, many lenders will simply refuse to lend. This means that a property cannot be sold to anyone requiring a mortgage. This not only makes a property very difficult to sell, it substantially reduces the value.
The cost of removal exceeds the cost of installation, and can be around £5,000. It is not an easy job and you may struggle to find a company to take on the work. In addition, the whole roof covering may need to be replaced if the foam has adhered to it.
If you are considering buying a property but you discover that it has spray foam insulation, you should consider whether you will be able to have it removed. If not, you may find that another property is a better investment as homeowners have reported in some cases that it is impossible to sell.
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