Spray Foam Loft Insulation in your roof 2021

SimpsonEssex

Its a big No to most lenders. I had spray foam loft insulation put in some 12 years ago and thankfully I had it sprayed onto the felting. Opportunity to move to my dream location revealed to me that no main street lenders will entertain a mortgage for buyers save the possible exception of Natwest and that is only if you have open cell foam. I do not. Up shot is I am having to have my roof tiles lifted, felting and batons removed, Foam removed and new felt, batons and tiles put back. That will still leave me with lots of residue foam removal internally which I am tackling now with a multi tool which is doing the job. My buyer and I have worked with the lender on its removal so its not an absolute non starter but ultimately it is going to cost you money, stress and some hard work. I am also fortunate that I have secured a roofing company to do the work toot sweet or I could have lost the house I am buying. Its been super stressful but I can see the end and hopefully my move.
On another note I did speak with the installers. Needless to say the response was basically, 'its not our problem' although not in so many words but I do think they have a responsibility, however small, to inform customers of the possible implications in the current climate. 10+ years ago this appeared not an issue but the problem took off some 8 years or so ago with lenders and the spray foam insulation industry has been in talks with lenders and insurers for over 8 years now on the subject! Good luck

FreeBear

SimpsonEssex said: On another note I did speak with the installers. Needless to say the response was basically, 'its not our problem' although not in so many words but I do think they have a responsibility, however small, to inform customers of the possible implications in the current climate.

I have challenged installers on the mortgage problems after spray foam is "installed" along with rotting of roof timbers and other problems - Suffice to say, their salesmen gloss over it and deny it causes any problems. I'm afraid, the only way to get spray foam off the market is through legislation - That isn't going to happen as these companies have money to throw at political parties to protect their interests.

As for the installers informing the customers of the problems up front, that just isn't going to happen.

E_D_FTB

We're buying a house with spray foam insulation and our sellers said they were having it removed, but obviously it's not that simple as we have no idea what state the battens are in underneath. Luckily for us, it hasn't become an issue with our lender and assuming it is removed and any damage is remedied, it never will! Absolute nightmare, though, the stuff shouldn't be legal!

MattyJ80

We had that in the roof of the house we bought - luckily it was only the batons that were completely and utterly rotten!
A lot of roofers wouldn't touch it or quoted a lot of money as the task of removing it is a massive pain in the butt!
Also, none of the slates could be salvaged so all of them had to be replaced - but we managed to get a few fairly intact ones to use as place mats. Some of the original 1870's nails were works of art
Our mortgage company weren't bothered as our LTV was sufficiently small

SimpsonEssex

E_D_FTB said:

We're buying a house with spray foam insulation and our sellers said they were having it removed, but obviously it's not that simple as we have no idea what state the battens are in underneath. Luckily for us, it hasn't become an issue with our lender and assuming it is removed and any damage is remedied, it never will! Absolute nightmare, though, the stuff shouldn't be legal!

Pleased it does not appear to be an issue with your particular lender. There are always two sides to every story and I am pleased I have had mine removed. My house is old, 1800's, and it was brilliant at plugging those old house drafts but when it came to selling, nightmare. Good luck

SimpsonEssex

UPDATE: Its gone  Roofing company have done a fantastic job in removing the foam, labour intensive to say the least and have gone the extra mild with cleaning the rafters etc. No associated damage from spray foam found Now, re survey. Still not out the woods but feeling hopeful.

FreeBear

How many skips of this stuff is now heading for landfill ?

scottie21

E_D_FTB said:

We're buying a house with spray foam insulation and our sellers said they were having it removed, but obviously it's not that simple as we have no idea what state the battens are in underneath. Luckily for us, it hasn't become an issue with our lender and assuming it is removed and any damage is remedied, it never will! Absolute nightmare, though, the stuff shouldn't be legal!

Did you resolve this? We are in the same situation. Who is your lender if you don’t mind me asking? 

scottie21

SimpsonEssex said:

UPDATE: Its gone  Roofing company have done a fantastic job in removing the foam, labour intensive to say the least and have gone the extra mild with cleaning the rafters etc. No associated damage from spray foam found Now, re survey. Still not out the woods but feeling hopeful.

Did you have to replace the tiles? Did you use a roofer or a spray foam removal company? And if you don’t mind me asking, how much was it please? And how long did it take? 

Thanks