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If you’re looking for a way to save on your energy bills and still create a cozy atmosphere in your home, you may be considering DIY spray foam insulation. This is a great option if you want to insulate your home yourself, but there are some things you need to know before you get started.
Spray foam insulation has been used by many DIYers in a variety of ways, but just because you can use it for a lot of things doesn’t automatically mean you should!
In this blog article, we’ll talk about the ways we use spray foam insulation in home renovation projects, as well as some applications where we don’t advise it. We’ll help you make sure that your project goes smoothly from start to finish!
What are the things that you can and can’t do with spray foam for your DIY project?
The DOs
1: Do your research
Do your research before you get started. There are many different types of spray foam insulation, and you need to make sure that you choose the right one for your project. It can be different for home and completely different for your hot tub or other areas.
2: Do check the expiry date before utilization
Expanding foam, which is made up of polyurethane components that react with air when they come into touch, expands in the can. Freshness is important for the foam to work effectively; so be cautious as you go and try not to run into any dangers when you opt to DIY spray foam insulation.
3: Do follow the instructions carefully
This is not a project that you can wing as you did with garden supplies and groceries. Make sure that you read and understand the instructions before you start.
4: Use appropriate foam when sealing rough openings
When installing windows and doors, it’s common for the rough openings to be somewhat larger than the window or door itself. That leaves you with a tiny gap that can create drafts, air loss, and provide pests access to your home. In this situation, utilizing the window and door spray foam is definitely recommended.
5: Do wear protective clothing
When you’re working with DIY spray foam insulation, it’s important to protect your skin and eyes from the chemicals. Wear long sleeves, gloves, and goggles to keep yourself safe.
6: Do use these to air-seal attics and crawl spaces
The best application for spray foam is as an air sealer. Before adding the blown-in insulation on top, go through and seal all apparent cracks and breaches with foam as you place new attic insulation. Filling any gaps with spray foam ensures that your living area is enclosed tightly by the attic.
7: Do keep a solvent nearby at all times
After expanding foam has cured, any extra is cut away, sawed, or sanded off to prevent super-sticky foam from accumulating on other things. If expanding foam gets where it shouldn’t, remove it with a solvent.
8: Do use in moderation
People tend to spray things and try to find more uses for them, resulting in them finishing the whole can before the nozzle gets clogged and they cannot utilize the container anymore. Instead, use it in moderation and only use as much as you require when engaging in DIY spray foam insulation. Keep in mind that these chemicals expand at a rate that grows rapidly.
9: Do use it to seal plumbing and electrical penetrations
Another fantastic application for spray foam is penetrations for electrical and plumbing. However, make sure that a fire-rated foam isn’t necessary by code in your region. Because exterior electrical boxes and any plumbing pipe penetrations are so typical points of drafts as well as potential superhighways for rodents, keep them sealed. (Note: Make sure this is permitted by your state.)
The DON’Ts
1; Don’t do it alone
Spray foam insulation can be difficult to work with, so it’s important to have someone else there to help you.
2: Don’t use foam near open flame
Although some types of expanding foam are designed to limit fire spread, there is a danger of fire while the product is being utilized. The compressed gas that drives the liquid polyurethane components out of the can is extremely combustible, and using it in confined spaces raises the danger of gas buildup and a spark igniting it.
3: Don’t use to address structural cracks in concrete
If you find a foundation crack, spray foam insulation should not be the first solution that comes to mind. Foundation cracks can be minor or substantial, and to solve the issue correctly, it’s critical to comprehend what’s going on. It is recommended not to use spray foam to repair a substantial issue such as addressing structural concerns like foundation cracks or patio substrate cracks.
4: Don’t use foam around outlets and can lights
It’s only natural to want to add some insulation around electrical outlets while on the quest for a draft-free home, but expanding foam isn’t always the best solution. The foam expands rapidly and can surround the wires that enter the box, making it difficult, if not impossible, to modify the wiring configuration and potentially cause heat issues in the long run.
5: Don’t rush through the project
Take your time and make sure that you do DIY spray foam insulation right.
6: Don’t use to seal plumbing leaks
People have also used spray foam to try and fix leaks, which has been a huge bust. Spray foam is not meant to be used to stop water leaks, so do opt to repair underlying issues. It won’t fix the problem and will almost certainly cause greater damage and headaches in the future.
7: Don’t forget to clean up when you’re done
Spray foam insulation can be messy, so be sure to clean up any excess before it dries.
8: Don’t use to address improper framing
Using spray foam to insulate framing gaps is one of the most egregious errors committed. People may mistakenly cut boards and, rather than adjusting them back to their proper length, simply jam them in place and fill the space with spray foam.
It’s easy to assume that if something appears well-made on the outside, it’ll also appear well-made on the inside. Spray foam should not be used to fill structural gaps because it is not a structurally rated product.
Getting ready…
And those are some of the most important notions you must consider during applying this insulation method yourself. If you follow these DOs and DON’Ts, you’ll be on your way to a successful DIY spray foam insulation project!
But most of the time, DIYers still need to have a lot of edge in the entire installation process. With this, you must get your questions answered by the right professionals like iFoam, As seen on the iFoam website, they can help you obtain the perfect amount and type for your house and can give you pro tips for a successful endeavor. So, what are you waiting for? Hit them up now!
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