Industry News And Our Current Perspective On Spray Foam Insulation

There has been a large volume of misinformation surrounding spray foam insulation over the last couple of years and with this in mind, we have made the decision to pause future installations until these concerns within the industry have been resolved.

We will continue to remain supportive of the spray foam industry and liaise with the industry’s key stake holders, professional bodies and representatives to help overcome the current misconceptions associated with spray foam insulation where possible and we hope to be able to offer this fantastic product again in the future.

Spray foam insulation is a significant and effective way to increase the energy efficiency within homes, it’s successfully used across the world however installation does need to be carried out in compliance with all applicable permissions and approvals, just like many other construction upgrades.

At the moment, we are aware that some UK homeowners are being misinformed that they should remove spray foam in order to sell their home. As a result, dishonest traders have learnt where spray foam has been installed and target the homeowner to have it removed at a high cost.

All homeowners are URGED to contact the company that they made their contract with BEFORE proceeding with spray foam removal as this may be completely unnecessary.

If you are unable to contact the original installer or sales agent company who handled your installation, you should contact the product manufacturer directly before authorising a spray foam removal as they are usually able to help further.

The current guidance is that at a minimum, compliant spray foam insulation installs should be supported with:

• Product warranty – usually 25 years (depending on manufacturer)

• Pre-installation survey, including photos

• Condensation U-Value report

• Insurance-backed warranty (if installed via a government-funded pathway)

However it is important to please note that these requirements for documentation were not always necessary, particularly prior to 2021 and if some of this paperwork is unavailable, it does not necessarily mean your installation was done incorrectly! These specific documentation requirements are more recent and may not have been part of the process at the time of your install.

However, any information should have been provided to you at the handover stage and your installer should have it on file and be able to resend it upon request. Additionally, technical documentation for the product, such as the relevant BBA/KIWA certificate and Technical Data Sheets, should also be available to you.

It is important to note that the current issue with lenders currently only apply to pitched roof spray foam insulation applications.

If an installation has been carried out correctly, with all accompanying pre-installation checks and post installation documents, there should be no reason for a lender not to provide the necessary finance. Most of the top lenders in the UK are already on board, to include Barclays, Nationwide and Santander.

Steps for Homeowners with Existing Spray Foam Insulation

• Gather Documentation: Collect all paperwork related to the installation.

• Speak To Your Installer First! Give your installer or contractor the opportunity to help you before making any rash decisions.

• Professional Assessment: If concerned or lacking documentation, have a qualified inspector assess the installation.

• Consult with Experts: Reach out to industry bodies like IMA for guidance if needed.

• Make Informed Decisions: Base any decision to remove on professional advice, not fear or misinformation.

To read the full article published by the IMA, please click here.