19 April 2024

Sprayfoam insulation study, I'm back on it!
Some of you may remember last year, I set up a study to monitor the impact of retrofit applied polyurethane sprayfoam in pitched roofs following the reteric and the troubles homeowners were experiencing after it's installation. In the situations I was dealing with, these troubles weren't caused by the foam itself, more so by mortgage / equity release companies who were refusing to lend on properties with sprayfoam.
Thankfully, since late 2023 there has been significant progress on the topic of polyurethane sprayfoam. The PCA (Property Care Association) have launched guidence to assist building surveyors undertaking inspections to pitched roofs with sprayfoam, and they're also running a one day workshop for those potentially interested in undertaking site inspections to evaluate the associated risks.
I've also heard recently that some homeowners have now been accepted for mortgages/loans even with sprayfoam present although following a professional evaluation. We therefore have progress which can only be a good thing.
Now I'm in the process of contacting all those who've taken part in the study to collect the loggers and retrieve the data. I'd like to say it's been plain sailing but it hasn't, and I suppose I never expected it to be. We've had some difficulties with the remote loggers refusing to communicate which means I've lost a little bit of data, but nothing that i can't work around or that will impact the study overall. I've still some loggers left to collect so, fingers crossed the technology and gadgets don't let us down.
I've always enjoyed challenging myself and this has been a challenge. Each data logger has recorded between 8000-9000 data points and there are 8 loggers per property, that's 72,000 data points per property and six properties in total! That'll keep me busy for a while, but watch this space.
One last thing, the PCA annual awards ceremony is coming up soon and I'm unsure whether or not to apply for the 'Innovation award' based on our work in this study, what do you think?.... is this innovative enough for you?
Dryfix, Yorkshire's Leading Damp and Timber Specialists!

[@toododd]

Is the insinuation that the foam is damaging the structure?