Spray Foam Insulation: New Guide for Concerned Homeowners
Homeowners worried about spray foam insulation in their property will find lots of helpful advice in a new consumer guide.
Thinking of Selling a Property with Spray Foam Insulation? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you're a homeowner in Hull or across East Yorkshire, and your property has spray foam insulation, it’s worth understanding how this could affect your ability to sell. The Property Care Association (PCA) has released a helpful guide outlining practical advice for anyone in this position.
Around 250,000 homes in the UK are thought to have spray foam insulation. It’s often sprayed as a liquid onto the underside of the roof, where it expands and hardens. While it’s marketed as an energy-efficient way to cut heating bills, it’s now under scrutiny for the issues it can cause when it comes to selling or remortgaging.
Why It’s a Problem for Homeowners
Over the last few years, concerns have grown around how spray foam impacts the structure of a property. In some cases, it can trap moisture and block airflow, leading to damp, mould, or even timber decay in roof spaces.
Because it covers the inside of the roof, surveyors can’t easily check the condition of the roof structure. This uncertainty has led some mortgage lenders to refuse loans on properties with spray foam insulation — making homes harder to sell or remortgage. This can be especially problematic if you're relying on equity release or hoping to move soon.
What to Do If You Have Spray Foam in Your Roof
First, don’t panic. Spray foam doesn’t automatically make your house unsellable — many properties don’t experience any issues. But if you’re unsure, the best thing to do is get ahead of it.
Download the PCA guide from property-care.org. It’s packed with easy-to-understand advice.
Speak to a qualified surveyor. They can assess whether the spray foam is causing any structural issues.
If removal is advised, only use a reputable tradesperson with experience in this specific kind of work.
⚠️ A word of warning: There have been reports of rogue traders offering spray foam removal, particularly targeting older or vulnerable homeowners. Be cautious of unsolicited calls, don’t feel pressured to say yes on the spot, and always check credentials before agreeing to anything.
Selling a Property in Hull or East Yorkshire?
If you’re thinking about putting your house on the market, and it has spray foam insulation, speak to one of our estate agents first. We’ll help guide you through your options and give honest advice on how it may impact your sale — and what you can do about it.
Got a friend or neighbour with spray foam? Share this article with them — it might help them avoid a costly surprise later on.
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