Survey Reveals Alarming Defects in Homes with Spray Foam Insulation as Calls for UK Government Action Grow

A new survey has uncovered widespread issues with spray foam insulation in UK homes, with more than a third found to have significant defects. Thousands of homeowners now face costly repairs, mortgage rejections, and stalled sales.

The investigation, conducted by the Property Care Association (PCA), revealed that 35% of surveyed homes with spray foam insulation had one or more serious defects. In around a quarter of those cases, the damage was so severe that either the insulation must be removed or the entire roof replaced.

In response to the findings, the PCA has partnered with the HomeOwners Alliance to urge the Government to intervene.

Sarah Garry, Chief Executive of the PCA, said:

“We are calling on the Government to step in and help homeowners who find themselves in a position where they are stuck and unable to sell, are unable to access equity release products, are faced with hefty remediation bills for removal or are being targeted by unscrupulous spray foam removal firms. The reality is that the situation is getting worse, not better.”

Spray foam insulation, once promoted as an energy-efficient solution and installed in an estimated 250,000 UK homes, has become a flashpoint in the property market. When applied incorrectly, it can trap moisture in roof structures, leading to timber decay, mould, and corrosion. These issues are not just structural; they are also financial, with many lenders refusing mortgages on affected homes.

Paula Higgins, Chief Executive of the HomeOwners Alliance, said:

“The current position is unfair to homeowners who have taken reasonable steps, and in many cases were encouraged by government grants, to install the product.”

Thousands of homeowners, many of them older and more vulnerable, now find themselves unable to sell or remortgage their properties. The potential consequences include financial strain, prolonged uncertainty, and increasing exposure to exploitative removal services.

To address the crisis, the PCA and HomeOwners Alliance have written to Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Minister for Energy Consumers, and Rushanara Ali MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Housing. They are calling for a roundtable of property experts, lenders, and equity release companies to coordinate a way forward.

In the meantime, property owners can turn to Spray Foam Advice Hub and the Spray Foam Insulation Consumer Guide, created by the PCA in collaboration with industry stakeholders, for practical advice and information.

As concerns continue to mount, the pressure is now on Government and industry to act before more homeowners find themselves trapped by insulation that was meant to improve, not impair, their homes.