Should you be worried about spray foam insulation?

With the news that gas and electricity bills are going up, homeowners will naturally be thinking about ways of cutting down on their energy use, a decision that's also reflected in the desire to reduce the carbon footprint of the household to help combat the problems of climate change.

While simple solutions like lowering your thermostat can help, many UK homeowners are considering more substantial investments in home insulation upgrades. Among these options, spray foam insulation has gained attention; but is it the right choice for your property?

As the name suggests, this insulation method is a mixture of chemicals brought together in the spray's nozzle, expanding into a foam that fills all the crevices and hidden nooks and crannies. For this reason, it has been considered a wonder product, because it expands to fill any holes causing a sealing and preventing heat from leaking beyond it.

However, there have been a few problems with spray-foam insulation, as highlighted back in November 2024 with an article by BBC News, which identified around 250,000 homes in the UK have been fitted with spray-foam insulation, but that around a quarter of mortgage lenders will refuse to lend against properties that have spray-foam insulation in the roof.

Compounding this further, investigations by the HomeOwners Alliance have identified the fact that homes with spray foam insulation cannot be used for releasing equity.

All of which news is rather alarming for homeowners who are thinking of selling a property with this type of insulation present.

The Property Care Association (PCA) highlights the key problems as follows:

• Improper installation - the type and mix of chemicals used to create the foam, the thickness and appropriate application are all causes for concern.

• Accurate inspections - because the foam creates a thick, hard covering of the roof trusses, tiles and other parts of the roof structure, it then becomes very difficult for a chartered surveyor to assess the stability of the roof space (which is one of the drivers behind the mortgage lenders decision not to touch the property).

• Trapped moisture and condensation - in certain instances, the spray foam application (particularly directly to tiles) can create a barrier that traps moisture leading to rotting of the wooden structure and, if untreated and unmanaged, lead to sagging and even collapse.

• Ventilation issues - tied in with the previous point, because the spray foam works so well as sealing air leaks, it can also restrict the ventilation design of the roof space, which leads to the same problems of moisture build-up, mould and other issues.
• Removal difficulties - because of the way the spray foam adheres to the materials used in the roof's construction, forming a hard barrier, any remedial work elsewhere on the roof will be hampered, particularly if the foam has to be removed first, which is a lengthy and expensive exercise in its own right.

The PCA has produced a very useful Spray Foam Customer Guide, which covers all aspects of what the homeowner needs to think about when dealing with spray-foam insulation and what to do when considering getting it installed to protect themselves from the problems and to future-proof the property when it comes to selling it.

In addition to standard warnings not to accept cold calling or doorstepping sales of removing the spray-foam insulation and not to pay for anything up front, the PCA's advice covers a list of considerations before embarking on the removal project:

• Paperwork - obtain as much information on the history of its installation.
• Original installer - contact the original installer, especially if its to rectify a particular problem.
• Quotes - never opt for the first quote you receive; instead, obtain a number for comparison purposes for rectification of problems or, most important, for its removal.
• Maintenance plan - keep the rest of the roof regularly maintained (for example, replacing cracked tiles).
• Ventilation - ensure suitable ventilation around the home and loft-space to avoid moisture and mould build-up.
• Research - look into the company offering to do the work, assess the online reviews and recommendations, and how they compare in the quote before engaging them.
• Don't panic! - even though the reports paint a rather black picture of spray-foam installations, it's important to think clearly through your options. If you are at all worried, contact an expert.

The PCA's consumer guide is a valuable source of information regarding what you can do to manage the spray-foam insulation in your property.

When you are buying a property, too, that has spray-foam insulation, it's worth involving an expert to look it over and offer their advice on the steps you can follow.

If you want to think about involving a chartered surveyor to review all aspects of your property, you can contact Surveyor Local to talk through your needs to get the best survey service possible that is value for money.

The results of their findings may be presented to your conveyancing solicitor, who will then oversee any negotiations connected to remedial or removal work, and how that might affect the asking price on the property.

Whatever your property purchase plans, you'll want to ensure that the legal side of the transaction is as swift and seamlessly trouble-free as possible. 

Whether you're worried about existing spray foam insulation or considering your options for energy-efficient home improvements, expert guidance can help you make informed decisions.

Contact Homeward Legal at to discuss your conveyancing needs or get an instant quote using our online quote generator.