Over the past couple of years, spray foam insulation has become a major talking point for homeowners and surveyors, and not for any good reasons.
Whilst it became popular as a cheap, quick and easy way to install insulation into a loft, attic or on a roof, if installed incorrectly it can cause significant issues and requires professional intervention to remove.
Because of these issues, some homeowners are struggling to sell their homes because mortgage lenders will not approve loans to buyers for homes with spray foam insulation unless it can be inspected and deemed safe.
However, whilst removal is always an option with experts at hand, is it always necessary?
There are a lot of examples of foam insulation jobs dating back to the 1970s that are still functioning as well as ever.
If a foam insulation job is working effectively, there is adequate documentation to show that the system was installed to the specifications required of the manufacturer, and the system takes into account how the roof is meant to be ventilated to avoid condensation, it may not need to be removed.
However, contacting an independent surveyor is still recommended if selling your home, to ensure you have everything you need to give a lender, buyer and conveyancer peace of mind.
New build homes that have spray foam included from when it was built do not need removing, as the insulation was professionally installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications and the building was designed with spray insulation in general and the product in question in specific.
As well as this, loft conversions have very different insulation requirements, typically requiring carefully considered insulation materials to be chosen to make a loft a room that is comfortable to live and sleep in.
As long as the work was done properly in the first place, it does not generally need removing.