The Hidden Dangers of Spray Foam Insulation: Health, Homes & Mortgages

Spray Foam Insulation Dangers

For years, spray foam insulation was marketed as a miracle solution for energy efficiency, a way to seal your home, lower bills, and go green. But for thousands of homeowners, that dream has turned into a costly nightmare.

What many installation companies didn't tell you is that spray foam can fundamentally alter the physics of your roof and the air quality of your home. From rejected mortgage applications to rotting roof timbers, the dangers of spray foam insulation have become impossible to ignore.

If you are concerned about the insulation in your loft, you are not alone. In this guide, we break down the risks, the financial implications, and the steps you need to take to protect your biggest asset.

1. The Mortgage Crisis: Why Lenders Are Saying "No"

Perhaps the most immediate danger of spray foam insulation is financial.

In recent years, a significant number of major mortgage lenders and equity release providers have stopped lending on properties with spray foam insulation, particularly in the roof space.

Why is this happening?

Banks and building societies view spray foam as a high-risk modification. When the foam hardens, it encases the roof timbers, making it impossible for a surveyor to inspect the condition of the wood. If a surveyor cannot confirm the roof is structurally sound, the bank cannot value the asset.

• Valuation of £0: We are seeing increasing cases where homes are valued at £0 until the foam is removed.

• Equity Release Blocks: Many homeowners looking to release equity for retirement are finding their applications flatly rejected due to the presence of foam.

• Resale Difficulty: Even if you don't need a mortgage, your future buyer likely will. This shrinks your pool of potential buyers to cash-only investors, often forcing a significant drop in asking price.

Note: The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has released specific guidance highlighting these risks, urging homeowners to think carefully before installation. Read the RICS Consumer Guide on Spray Foam here

2. Structural Integrity: Rotting From the Inside Out

Your roof was designed to breathe. Traditional roofing relies on air circulation to carry away moisture that naturally accumulates in your loft.

When spray foam is applied to the underside of the roof (between the rafters), it can create an unventilated "cold roof" or an improperly sealed "warm roof." This leads to a phenomenon known as interstitial condensation.

The Rotting Process

1. Moisture Entrapment: Warm, moist air from your home rises into the loft.

2. Condensation: This air hits the cold roof structure. Because the foam acts as a barrier (or traps moisture against the wood if it's open-cell), the water has nowhere to go.

3. Timber Decay: The moisture sits against the wooden rafters. Over months and years, this dark, damp environment becomes a breeding ground for wood rot and fungal attack.

Because the foam hides the timber, you often won't know your roof is rotting until significant structural damage has occurred.

3. Health Hazards and Indoor Air Quality

While the financial and structural risks often grab the headlines, the potential health implications of spray foam are equally concerning.

Chemical Off-Gassing

Spray foam is created by mixing two chemical compounds (Side A and Side B) on-site. When mixed perfectly, they react to form a safe foam. However, if the mixture is even slightly off-ratio, or if the temperature during installation wasn't strictly controlled, the foam may fail to cure properly.

This can lead to prolonged off-gassing, where the foam releases Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into your home. Common complaints include:

• A persistent "fishy" or chemical smell.

• Respiratory irritation (coughing, wheezing).

• Headaches and eye irritation.

Mould Growth

As mentioned in the structural section, spray foam creates a sealed environment. If your home lacks adequate mechanical ventilation (which most older homes do), this seal traps humidity. High humidity leads to black mould growth, which releases spores that can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions.

4. Insurance and Fire Safety Risks

Beyond mortgages, you may find that your home insurance is affected. Some insurers are now refusing to cover homes with spray foam insulation, or are increasing premiums significantly.

Furthermore, while many spray foams claim to be fire-retardant, no material is fireproof. There are concerns within the fire safety community that certain types of foam can act as an accelerant or release toxic smoke when they burn, complicating the escape for residents and the job for firefighters.

The Solution: Professional Removal

If you have spray foam insulation and are worried about these dangers, do not attempt to remove it yourself.

DIY removal is dangerous and can cause more harm than good. Scraping foam off delicate roof tiles often leads to broken tiles, compromised felting, and damaged electrical wiring hidden within the foam. Furthermore, the dust created during spray foam removal can be hazardous if not managed with industrial-grade extraction.

How Remove Spray Foam Can Help

At Remove Spray Foam, we specialise in the safe, non-destructive removal of spray foam insulation. We help homeowners restore their property's value, structural health, and mortgageability.

Our Process:

1. Assessment: We inspect the foam type and the condition of the underlying timbers.

2. Safe Removal: Our team uses specialist tools to remove the foam without damaging your roof structure.

3. Loft Tidy & Disposal: We tidy the loft and legally dispose of all waste.

4. Documentation: We provide the certification and paperwork lenders require to prove the foam is gone.

5. Insulation Replacement: We give you the option to replace your spray foam insulation with a traditional insulation such as fibreglass or rockwool.

   
   

Don't let insulation devalue your home. Get a Free Quote for Spray Foam Removal Today

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Does spray foam devalue a house? A: Yes, in many cases. Because it can make a property unmortgageable, it significantly reduces the number of potential buyers, often forcing sellers to accept cash offers well below market value.

Q: Can I remove spray foam insulation myself? A: It is highly discouraged. Spray foam adheres tightly to roof tiles and timbers. pulling it off by hand frequently breaks the tiles and damages the felting, leading to expensive roof leaks. It requires professional equipment to remove safely.

Q: Is open-cell foam safer than closed-cell? A: While open-cell foam is "breathable," it still presents major issues for mortgage lenders because it covers the timbers, preventing inspection. Furthermore, open-cell foam acts like a sponge; if you have a roof leak, the foam soaks up the water and holds it against the wood, accelerating rot.

Q: Will removing the foam satisfy my mortgage lender? A: Generally, yes. Most lenders are happy to proceed once the foam has been professionally removed and a certificate/report is provided confirming the timber is sound.