Will insulation save the planet?

Will insulation save the planet?

0:02 AM, 11th March 2024, About 8 months ago 9

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Hi, I just got the following warning about insulation from rogue traders passed on by trading standards:

“Trading Standards is warning residents to be cautious of spray foam insulation removal scams. Spray foam is an alternative to traditional insulation. However, if not properly installed it can cause problems and even decrease the value of a property.

Trading Standards have seen an increase of complaints relating to rogue traders who use scare tactics to convince homeowners of the need to remove spray foam insulation from their properties immediately. This can lead to complications including compromised roofs and extortionate prices.

We advise against dealing with any business that contacts you unexpectedly. We suspect that in some cases people are conned twice; firstly into paying thousands to put insulation in and secondly being called a couple of years later to tell them that they can never sell their house because of the insulation, charging them thousands more to remove it. The con is based on drumming up fear and pressure to act, resulting in decisions we might not ordinarily take.

Top tips to avoid rogue traders and doorstep criminals:
• Choose a trader that is part of the Which? Trusted Trader Scheme
• Never engage with cold callers knocking on your door or who call out of the blue
• Be wary of using traders recommended on social media
• Get separate quotes from different and independently sourced traders
• Be careful of online reviews as these may not be genuine
• Ask for proof of credentials and verify with the relevant authorities or professional associations

Trust your instincts if something doesn’t feel right or the trader is pressuring you into making a quick decision. If you can, talk about what has happened with a trusted friend or family member.

You can also seek advice from the Citizens Advice Consumer Service helpline on 0808 223 1133. To report a fraud to the Police please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or go to www.actionfraud.police.uk”

There probably isn’t a month that goes by without somebody offering me insulation. And I can’t get access to grants without installing cavity wall insulation because the gatekeepers for the grants are the people selling cavity wall insulation. But cavity wall insulation can cause problems with damp and this research from the University of Cambridge says that cavity wall insulation doesn’t reduce gas usage:

Insulation does not help lower gas usage in the long term, say Cambridge scientists

So should we be encouraging people to put in insulation? Or should we be encouraging them to install sources of heating that are based on renewable energy instead, or use gas more efficiently, and stop worrying so much about the insulation?

Thank you,

B


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Nick Faulkner

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10:54 AM, 11th March 2024, About 8 months ago

A few years ago I was cold called by a company offering spray insulation to our loft. (In our personal home not one of the rental properties) They came ,stripped out the old felt from the inside of the loft and sprayed 50-70mm (over 2inches) of foam between the rafters. They claimed the foam they used was better than the alternatives. Immediately beneficial effects were found. The house seemed warmer but the most important benefit was the sound insulation . We live beside a busy main road into Norwich and the steady drum of traffic has been a gentle niggle throughout the years we have lived here but no more.The whole house, but especially the upper parts, is much quieter. Like most things when you are satisfied with the results you forget the cost. So far and it must five or six years at least since the work was done I have found no downsides. So I have been distressed to hear that spray foam should be removed because of the damage and lack of sale ability caused . Our loft is dry and quiet.I have seen no signs of condensation, rot or other problems and absolutely no reason to remove it.

Cider Drinker

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12:15 PM, 11th March 2024, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Nick Faulkner at 11/03/2024 - 10:54
You won’t see the signs because they are hidden by 50-70mm of foam.

I’m an engineer and I don’t like spray foam because, in my opinion, it’s a dreadful idea.

Mortgage companies don’t like it. Your property could be unsaleable. I, for one, wouldn’t buy it.

Pete Lightowler

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12:32 PM, 11th March 2024, About 8 months ago

We have spay foam insulation on a rental property which the previous owner had done. It was noted on a structural survey we were asked to do when we tried to remortgage. We didn't go ahead and have it removed because of the potential issues which may have been revealed with unknown high costs.
So we're now stuck on the lenders SVR at over 6%!
The foam used is apparently 'the right type' according to the warranty. But unfortunately the company no longer exist.

At some point we will want to sell it. So any advice on how to move forward would be welcome.

Jack Sayers

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12:38 PM, 11th March 2024, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Nick Faulkner at 11/03/2024 - 10:54
Hello Nick,

The people that cold called you were always going to claim their foam was the best and better then alternatives, you would not buy it if they said it was terrible and caused all the issues associated with spray foam.

The reason you can not see any issues is because they usually occur behind the spray foam so you will not see any problems until you begin to remove the foam at which point it could be too late. Even if you can not see any problems now, you will still struggle to get equity release on the property and buyers will not be able to get a mortgage as surveyors will be unable to conduct a structural survey of the room. Spray foam was never intended to go into residential properties and has been mis-sold to you. Feel free to call Hydrogard Legal Services on 08000 74 84 94 and we would be happy to discuss this further with you.

Jack Sayers

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12:42 PM, 11th March 2024, About 8 months ago

The answer is people should be insulating their homes and having green energy solutions installed, but both need to be done properly. There is no point spending out on these expensive solutions for them to not work, and potentially cause damage to your home. Always use a trusted, researched installer and never agree to cold callers knocking on your door.

Paul Essex

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20:49 PM, 11th March 2024, About 8 months ago

The biggy is that even if it was great we are adding more houses this is balancing out our greenhouse contribution.

Even worse if the rest of the world doesn't insulate out bit will have very little impact on climate change (e.g. the Germans starting to burn brown coal after shutting down their nuclear)

Stella

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0:46 AM, 12th March 2024, About 8 months ago

I seen a programme on BBC a few years ago where a couple who had their roof space sprayed with this foam insulation could not sell their property.
None of the prospective buyers could get a mortgage on the property.
They ended up having it removed so I dont think that this it is a great idea.

GlanACC

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8:03 AM, 16th March 2024, About 8 months ago

In most cases spray foam is not suitable for a property BUT in some cases it is - but proceed with caution IE take independent advice before commiting

Pronto Property Ltd

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11:25 AM, 16th March 2024, About 8 months ago

There are mortgage CO’s that will do mortgages on properties with spray foam (but find a good specialist broker) … if the type of foam is deemed to be a standard, considered safe, i.e., non-detrimental, non-toxic and non-inflammatory.

So worth getting a sample tested (but where?), but it can be removed by hand cutting/scraping … not hazardous ( with a mask), but is labour intensive and several days work for a 2/3 bed house (£1,000+), but will make the house more mortgageable.

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