Guidance released on spray foam

Risks with obtaining a mortgage

On 3 March 2022 The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors released guidance on the use of spray foam insulation.

Click here to view the full guide but in summary:

• Don’t think of spray foam insulation as a quick fix.
• Spray foam insulation needs to be properly planned and considered as once applied it cannot be easily removed.
• Check that your roof is well maintained. Spray foam insulation should never be used as a way of making a roof       watertight.
• Always use an approved installer and don’t fall for cold callers.
• Don’t install in a listed building without listed building consent.
• Get advice from an independent surveyor as well as the installer.
• Keep copies of all documentation. There should have been a detailed survey and thermal calculations done
and consideration given to condensation risks throughout the whole of the house.

It is estimated that 250,000 homes in the UK have spray foam insulation as it has been used for many decades. There are potential risks though when used in roofs and lofts as it can lead to moisture being trapped around wooden structures and leading to rotting. As a result many mortgage lenders including equity release lenders currently refuse to lend on homes with this type of insulation.

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