Lowering thermostat temperature in order to remove humidity Why is overcooling a problem? There are sometimes gaps that can form in the walls, ceiling, or floor that the foam does not always reach as it is expanding. This portable air purifier contains a patented earth mineral technology that effectively works to capture, contain, and neutralize noxious and toxic odors and chemicals from the air through the use of an EnviroKlenz Air Cartridge – the 1st stage in the EnviroKlenz air purifier filtration system. While there are many different types of insulation, the best fit for Florida homes is closed cell spray foam Using a snow rake will help with roof ice dam prevention, and prevent stress, leaks, and cave-ins. WP_VIDEO_LIGHTBOX_VERSION="1.9.1"; Solution: Keep pests out of your attic and make it a less attractive space for them to want to make their nests. Servicing Michigan's Lower Peninsula & Greater Toledo, open cell spray foam insulation | After the installation job is completed the homeowners and occupants should still avoid this environment for days following the installation. Went with air sealing, removing existing insulation and foam roof deck. The capability of these two chemicals to work together to expand out is useful as a specialty packing material that forms to the shape of the product or even used in home’s for insulation. 200 Grover StreetPO Box 3098Montrose, MI 48457, © 2021 RetroFoam of Michigan Inc. All Rights Reserved. } We’re going to be taking a look at four of the problems that you may encounter if you choose to have spray foam installed, and the best solution to getting the most out of your spray foam. From mold growth to pest invasions, having fiberglass, cellulose, or no insulation can lead to many issues. Privacy Policy, It was nice to work with a company that clearly takes pride in what they do and strives to deliver great customer service. Spray foam insulation problems are cropping up in many communities, causing adverse health effects for homeowners, forcing them to leave their homes. I would definitely want to seal it off to minimize the moisture flow up to the attic if it’s the loose fill insulation. Throughout her career as a journalist, she has won several awards from the The Society of Professional Journalists - Detroit Chapter and the Michigan Press Association. Place baffles at the eaves to maintain a clear path for the airflow from the soffit vents, according to This Old House. Over time blown-in fiberglass and cellulose can drift or settle, leaving your attic insulation with a lower R-Value and prone to air movement, which will contribute to high energy bills and an uncomfortable home. WP_VID_LIGHTBOX_URL="https://enviroklenz.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-video-lightbox"; Spray foam is a chemical product that is created by two materials, isocyanates, and polyol resin, that will react when mixed with each other to expand out to about 30 to 60 times its liquid volume after it is sprayed and applied to the area in the indoor building. Ice dams can be a bigger headache than you might think, as they can damage the roof. Unlike paper insulative products (which includes fiberglass because of its backing), you don’t need to worry about the foam absorbing the moisture to promote mold, mildew, and fungi growth in your home either. function gtag() { If this does occur, it can lead to insulation problems that will result in a less energy-efficient home. Most popularly the spray foam insulation will work as an insulation and air barrier material to seal walls, floors, and ceiling cavities against air movement – including spaces around electrical outlets and light fixtures, and where walls meet windows and doors in the environment. More times than not, issues with your attic insulation is the culprit. Bonita Springs, Florida 34134 Spray foam insulation can also help to reduce the intake of airborne irritants into the airspace of the home such as dust and pollen. or &) In addition, spray foam can also be sprayed into new homes or building structures to be applied to any open cavity such as attics, crawl spaces, and rim joists. When it comes to making the decision on what kind of insulation to place in your attic there are several different preferred options that people will look into such as spray foam attic insulation. Spray foam insulation and what do Surveyors think 1stAssociated can provide help and advice with regard to structural defects reports for things like problems with your roof, insulation, window problems, dampness, lateral dampness, condensation, cracking, movement. Although spray foam insulation offers a flexible solution for improving the energy efficiency of a home, it is not a magical solution that can solve every problem. .widget_powerpress_subscribe h4 { This will allow for optimal operation of your HVAC equipment, as well as aid in early detection of situations such … The problem lies in how the contractor handles the odor. Suddenly your problem gets a lot bigger! This is not just a DIYers issue. This savings occurs because without this insulation air can leak out of seals in the home and thus create a flaw in the ventilation system. Attics are the main spots in a home that are filled with unusual shapes, gaps, and spaces where air bubbles have the potential to form when you spray foam insulation. More times than not, issues with your attic insulation is the culprit. You could add more insulation to your attic floor, thus keeping the temperature the same. } remove the old attic insulation and replace it with spray foam insulation, The Society of Professional Journalists - Detroit Chapter. Polyurethane or polystyrene spray foams can provide thorough coverage to roof rafters and attic walls in much less time than is needed for other materials. spray foam insulation | PowerPress subscribe sidebar widget Spray foam installers missed some of the air leakage sites. It clings to surfaces – this is excellent because it makes it very difficult to destroy or remove the spray foam. This only happens when part of the roof warms above 32 degrees. During the installation process if a gap is missed in your attic it can increase the potential for water intrusions to occur in the environment. If you own your home, you’re probably not thinking about removing any insulation. Are you considering spray foam insulation for your new home or even are a current homeowner that is stuck dealing with the concerning material inside of your home? This effect reduces air flow in and out of the attic space to make it “unvented” or “encapsulated.” Foam reduces airflow in a home, so sometimes fresh air intakes need t… spray foam attic insulation problems | 1-888-225-6260 On this episode of Dr. Energy Saver's "On the Job" series, Larry Janesky, founder of Dr. Energy Saver discusses the importance of an energy .widget-area .widget_powerpress_subscribe h4, The spray foam insulation chemical fumes and odors can spread throughout the environment and taint the entire space for those occupants. Unlike solid insulation products that require careful measurement, cutting and fitting, spray foam can cover even the most uneven surface instantly. You could opt to use a different insulation material like spray foam because it doesn’t settle or lose its shape over time. gtag('config', 'AW-813306072'); Solution: Blown-in cellulose and fiberglass must be regularly maintained by either adding more insulation or raking the insulation already in the attic. The disadvantages of spray foam insulation have recently come to the forefront, with multiple studies and research collected from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which found that when spray polyurethane foam is being used that the worksite or home should be restricted to people who are not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Placement Errors During Installation Attics are the main spots in a home that are filled with unusual shapes, gaps, and spaces where air bubbles have the potential to form when you spray foam insulation. There are several reasons your traditional insulation isn’t performing as well as it could – usually drifting, and uneven distribution is the cause. // Replace our href string with our new value, passing on the name and delimeter Another option is insulating the roof deck with spray foam insulation, as this method eliminates the need for ventilation in the attic. The EnviroKlenz Air Purifier is a great solution for removing VOCs from your home or building to help both safely and effectively mitigate these airborne chemicals. Attic insulation problems and solutions – Part 2. Open-cell spray polyurethane foam (ocSPF) or closed-cell spray polyurethane foam (ccSPF) insulation is sprayed along the underside of the roof sheathing to provide an unvented insulated and conditioned attic space or roof assembly that can be resilient, durable, and efficient in all climate zones. Vented vs Unvented Attic: Which is Better? Along with its energy-efficient capabilities in your home, it has been said to also reduce monthly energy bill costs. This will create an air seal that keeps the cold air from circulating around the attic while maintaining a constant temperature. Another health risk of spray polyurethane foam is the dust that is can create in the air – cutting and trimming the foam as it hardens will release chemicals back into the air. You have to have the right kind for your home. Attic - air seal, add insulation, attic tent (keep thermal boundary at ceiling level) - radiant barrier and foam roof deck. // Grab the first character in the returned string (should be ? If the home doesn’t have an adequate vapor barrier and there are leaks, then that water absorbs into traditional forms of insulation like fiberglass and cellulose. In other words, the spray has not been used in the right way, or the mixture is not right for the location. Spray foam contracts and pulls away from framing. var newString; When you insulate the top of your attic with spray foam, you're bringing your attic into your home's envelope.As a result, you can reduce the temperature in your attic by a lot - anywhere from … It has been said that by having spray foam insulation in your home you can be creating an energy-efficient environment that is more comfortable for your family. However, if the person that is applying this insulation material is not wearing personal protective equipment or if the foam is not applied correctly, this can create a dangerous reaction. Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) when applied correctly and given enough to cure properly, there are minimal dangers. If there is no ductwork in the attic and there are no plans to turn the attic into occupied space, you may consider adding insulation to the floor of the attic. Lastly, it will help to control humidity in the home, which will, therefore, reduce the risk of mold growth. Mold is one of the more common issues found in attic insulation. When insulation is improperly installed, it isn’t evenly distributed, which can also lead to air movement. Ventilation can also help ease the problem. The air seal can be added in addition to cellulose or fiberglass insulation or by using spray foam, which acts as both an insulator and air seal. - Michael Schrauben, Attic Insulation Problems: Top 5 Things to Watch Out For. if (matches === null) { Spray foam isn't thick enough. There are several majors spray foam installation problems that have been associated with the use and application of spray foam in a home – some of these problems will vary based on how much of the spray foam is used, where it is placed, who applies the spray foam, and the conditions in this environment. We have seen dozens of issues and provided the solutions to the attic insulation problems homeowners experience. When spray polyurethane foam is applied it will release vapors and aerosols, these vapors can be dangerous to the respiratory system, according to Tor Hoerman Law, LLC. When seals and cracks are covered and contained it will ultimately aid in the reduction of these outdoor pollutants from entering the home’s air. As this building material has been continually used for decades, there has been increasingly more information and studies that have found that this popular, and seemingly un-harmful construction material may be anything but harmless when used in your home and exposed to continually each and every day. Thus, this broad-spectrum pollutant control and removal technology can be an excellent choice for combating spray foam insulation vapors and odors in a home. Always consult your medical physician for any specific medical advice or recommendations.”, ENVIROKLENZ Earlier this year I got a question about a home that had spray foam insulation in the attic. } else { Inside of a home, spray foam can be used for a variety of things and in many different functions. No, the application of spray Polyurethane foam insulation to the underside of the roof deck eliminates the need to vent the attic. Spray polyurethane foam insulation, of any kind, uses isocyanates in 50% of the formulation -- even those claimed to be made with soy or other natural oils. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(2621536, 'f08e28f6-9307-423f-a71b-31f3e1682cdb', {}); Amanda previously has worked as a breaking news and crime reporter, TV news producer, and editor in Flint and Detroit. With traditional insulation, it is important to keep the attic well vented. Maybe you heard little squeaks? Many people will find that the spray foam insulation just down-right stinks! insulation. We mean that literally, by the way. A ridge vent paired with continuous soffit vents will circulate the cold air throughout the attic. The answers to your attic insulation problems can be as easy as understanding how different types of insulation work and what you need to look out for. Duct leakage, which can result in up to 30% of energy loss Using Icynene spray foam as your attic insulation will turn your attic into a conditioned space. RetroFoam of Michigan has more than 17 years of experience insulating thousands of attics across the lower peninsula with foam insulation. .widget-area .widget_powerpress_subscribe h2, Spray foam insulation is impermeable to water, which means you can reduce the amount of moisture that comes into your attic during storms or as the seasons change. © 2021 RetroFoam of Michigan Inc. All Rights Reserved. Applying an even sheet of foam to the underside of a roof or other space can eliminate the routes that water vapor uses to leave the house. Not enough insulation A lack of insulation is actually the most common issue with attics. 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