Spray foam remediation

As a foam contractor and consultant in the industry for more than thirty years, Mr. Fennell has quality controlled and remediated hundreds of foam installations.  Foam problems can evolve from a number of sources, and recognizing and verifying these sources is a significant part of what remediation is all about.  It is important to determine if a foam problem was caused by the chemistry, chemical storage and handling, machine processing, poor installation technique, lack of quality assurance protocols, inadequate  followup during the cure period, or building science issues.  Following is information about the background of these problems, their typical causes, and services available to assure a quality installation for your projects.

  1. The status of the foam industry
  2. Why are there problems with foam installations?
  3. What are the causes of foam problems?
  4. Avoiding/preventing foam problems – Course description
  5. Avoiding foam problems – Course
    Foam Problems Part A
    Foam Problems Part B
  6. Selecting a qualified foam contractor
  7. Pre-qualifying foam products
  8. Selecting the right foam product
  9. Foam inspections

In situations where problems already exist, remediation is required.  Following are links to more information about the remediation process:

  1. Remediation program abstract
  2. The remediation process
    1. Inspection and assessment
    2. Decide to repair or replace
    3. Develop a remediation plan
    4. Remediate the project
    5. Disposal

It should be noted that remediation protocols will vary on a project-by-project basis from the repair of minor defects to complete removal and replacement.  My goal for remediation projects is to determine the least costly remediation approach, adequately protect the building and its occupants from any risk, and maximize the energy performance of the remediated enclosure.  Approaches typically used to remediate foam problems, generally in order of severity and cost, include the following:

  1. Repair only for minor defects (building performance issues)
  2. Isolation only
    1. Encapsulation
    2. Encapsulation and long-term low-level ventilation
    3. Brute-force long-term ventilation only
  3. Repair, isolation, and long-term low-level ventilation
  4. Complete removal, replacement, residue encapsulation, and long-term low-level ventilation

In some cases, the removal of good-quality foam is required when it has been damaged by fire, flood, or for another non-quality related reason.