Many homeowners are finding out that Spray Foam Insulation can create a big problem in their homes when the work is performed improperly. In this episode of the Disaster Podcast, we discuss what you need to know about spray foam insulation and how this can actually cause long-term damage to your home! Disaster Podcast is brought to you by Disaster Blaster! https://disasterblaster.com/ With franchise opportunities available across most of the country, Disaster Blaster is YOUR chance to take control of your future and be part of a thriving restoration brand. Contact our Franchise Team at 302-242-1042 or Franchising@disasterblaster.com to start your future TODAY! Franchise Opportunities: https://disasterblasterfranchise.com #DisasterBlaster #DisasterPodcast #podcast #tips #insulation #sprayfoam #diy #homeproject #homeremodel #realestate #homeseller #home #house #roi

- Could spray foam insulation make your home unlivable? Stay tuned! Having your home insulated with spray foam insulation may seem like a great investment, promising improved energy efficiency and lower heating and cooling costs, but there is a dark side to spray foam insulation that many property owners aren't aware of. Instead of an investment that improves the lives of you and your family, could you be unwittingly contaminating your home with hazardous chemicals? While the benefits of effective installation are well known, what isn't talked enough about are the risks should things go wrong? Here are a few things to consider. What is spray foam insulation? Spray foam insulation is a composite material that's applied on site to insulate buildings and seal cracks and gaps. It's generally made from two chemicals that react together and create a foam that dries in place. The foam conforms to the surfaces it is applied to, creating a tight building envelope that can improve energy efficiency, reduce air infiltration, and limit noise. What makes spray foam insulation hazardous? In a word, Chemicals. While there are different types of spray foam insulation, they are all essentially a mixture of a variety of chemicals that react to expand and provide the insulation benefit. Some chemicals commonly used in spray foam installation are recognized as being quite toxic with a number of them being illegal to use in other countries, such as Canada, where spray foam has become a serious issue. Introducing chemicals into your home can reduce air quality and expose you and your family to these potentially hazardous chemicals. How hazardous is spray foam insulation? Depending on the type of spray foam insulation and the chemicals in it, spray foam insulation can be extremely hazardous. While many toxic chemicals have been outlawed in other countries, they remain legal in the United States, which can present a serious risk to health for building occupants. Some common health effects linked to exposure to spray foam installation chemicals includes skin and respiratory problems such as lung irritation, sensitization, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and asthma. Developing children have been shown to be more likely to develop long-term respiratory issues from prolonged exposure to environmental factors. As it's difficult to know what chemicals are being used or the potential health reactions that you and your family may experience, the potential health hazards of exposure to improperly cured spray foam insulation can be difficult to define. What causes spray foam insulation to become hazardous? After spray foam installation is applied, it takes time for it to dry properly and cure, and during the time that the product is wet, it can release VOCs and hazardous chemicals into the air. This is why you're generally advised to leave the home for several hours while they are applying the spray foam insulation. This allows the spray foam time to cure before you return home, but sometimes it doesn't cure properly. If, for example, the spray foam is mixed, improperly, applied improperly, applied to cavities with insufficient airflow such as inside existing walls, or the contractor uses expired product, the spray foam insulation may not cure at all and may continue to release dangerous VOCs and chemicals into the air. We have been involved in projects where air quality tests still showed extremely high chemical levels more than a year after the spray foam insulation was applied. How do you know if your spray foam insulation didn't cure properly? One of the most obvious signs of a spray foam project gone wrong is a fishy or chemical odor that persists beyond a few hours. This indicates that the spray foam insulation is still off-gassing, and as a result, releasing potentially harmful chemicals into your home. What's worse is that depending on why this is occurring, the spray foam may not cure at all, leading to a problem that may not be resolved without proper remediation. It's not uncommon for homes with improperly applied or mixed spray foam insulation to smell for months or even years. What happens if spray foam is applied or installed improperly? Unfortunately, if spray foam insulation has been applied incorrectly or doesn't cure properly, the only solution is for a qualified remediation company to address the issue, which includes a thorough removal of the spray foam material from the property, detailed cleaning of structural materials that came in contact with the spray foam material, and air filtration. This is an extremely detailed process that removes the hazard from your property and restores the quality of your indoor air so that the property is safe for you and your family. While many spray foam insulation projects are completed without issue, for many the investment becomes a nightmare that upends their lives. These issues can be resolved by the qualified professionals at Disaster Blaster however, who are happy to evaluate your issue and develop a plan of action to ensure your home is safe again. Would you like to take control of your future and build a business you can Be proud? We can help. As a Disaster Blaster franchise partner, our industry experts will help you unlock the potential of the $210 billion restoration industry. Disaster Blaster offers the most revenue streams in the restoration industry, training and support from industry experts, a unique model primed for your success, and more! Call our franchise team today to learn more at 242-1042 or visit us on the web at www.DisasterBlasterFranchise.com. Stay tuned for some frequently asked questions, but while you're here, don't forget to like and subscribe. Why do people choose spray foam? Spray foam insulation has become a popular choice when insulating your home due to its ability to expand into cracks and crevices. This allows spray foam insulation to create a tight seal that can improve energy efficiency and keep your home warmer during the winter and cooler during the summer. Often applied during new construction, spray foam insulation is sprayed on walls and ceilings before the walls are finished, allowing it adequate air flow and time to cure. In this way, a home is able to be framed, insulated, and finished quickly. Over the years, spray foam insulation has become increasingly popular for re-insulating existing homes. This does create additional complications, as insulating existing construction often does not allow the airflow needed to properly cure the spray foam. This can lead to issues when the spray foam doesn't cure properly as a result of inadequate airflow or improper application. Additionally, some spray foam insulations are waterproof as well, offering additional benefits for areas where moisture may be an issue, such as crawl spaces and basements. In fact, spray foam insulation can be applied anywhere in your home from the attic all the way to the basement. It is important to note, however, that spray foam insulation that is mixed improperly, applied incorrectly, or doesn't cure fully, represents a potential health hazard for occupants as wet spray foam can continue to off-gas, hazardous chemicals and VOCs that could affect the indoor air quality and the health of those living in the home. As a result, it is important to review options carefully to determine what insulation method makes the most sense for you, as many traditional insulation methods are equally effective. Thanks so much for watching. Don't forget to like and subscribe and while you're here, check out our other great content.