Factors That Cause Spray Foam To Need Repairs

Spray foam insulation is one of the best materials for home and business insulation on the market. It provides superior durability, R-value, and other advantages over traditional insulation materials. However, even spray foam insulation has its weaknesses. As a spray foam contractor, you need to know what can cause insulation damage and how to prevent it. Keep reading to learn the most common factors that can cause spray foam to need repairs.

Installation Errors

The first signs that spray foam insulation will need a respray or maintenance can show themselves as early as during the installation itself. As a spray foam contractor, you must know the proper installation techniques and signs of a successful spray foam installation. If your foam coating starts to look discolored, peels away from the wall, shrinks, or acts strangely during the application, stop your spray immediately. These are all signs of poor-quality foam, and you should start troubleshooting your foam and equipment before proceeding. Familiarize yourself with spray foam troubleshooting tips for professional installation jobs.

Pests and Invasive Animals

Even perfect spray foam installations can suffer from damage down the road. One common cause of this in spray foam insulation is pests and invasive animals. Mice, rats, termites, and other bugs can burrow into a home’s insulation and create nests. Not only is this annoying and unsanitary, but it can compromise the effectiveness of your insulation. Warn your customers to look for signs of pest activity, such as droppings and odors. If they discover any of these signs, they’ll need to schedule an inspection to ensure their insulation isn’t at risk.

Water Damage

Damage from moisture buildup or strong storms can also compromise your insulation jobs. Certain types of spray foam insulation, such as closed-cell insulation, resist water damage. However, open-cell insulation doesn’t feature as strong of a moisture barrier, which means it can still be susceptible to water damage. If your customers experience heavy rain or humidity at home, they could be at risk of moisture damage or leaks in their insulation. Water damage repairs are some of the most common insulation maintenance jobs.

These are the main factors that can cause spray foam insulation to need repairs. While spray foam has superior durability and resistance, it isn’t impervious to damage, and contractors should provide this information to their clients. Ensure your clients know these signs of damage to watch out for so that they can contact you in the future if anything appears different.