Q Bot underfloor Insulation

Danny30

Hi, I have just been offered a free survey to see whether we can get underfloor installation installed. I have been told they would use something called Q-bot which I googled and can see uses spray foam insulation. I know that foam insulation is a disaster for lofts and was just wondering if it was also bad to be used for underfloor installation? 

Video showing how it works can be seen here

FreeBear

Looks like the spray foam is encasing all of the joists - I would imagine that it will have the same issues as when used in the loft space. Would also question how they would deal with dwarf walls, air vents, and how it impacts on underfloor ventilation.

FaceHead

Free survey = salesman trying to flog you something you probably don't want for a fat commission. 

If you're interested in underfloor insulation, by all means research (and ask) about the options, choose the one that's right for you (if any) and then buy it, considering various suppliers. It seems unlikely that the thing the salesman is selling happens to be the thing that's right for you out of all the options. 

Don't get sold.

WustyRex

We had a guy round, UFI was the issue with 8x8 air bricks allowing the artic wind to come through the carpet.

Surveys with a camera rope thing....... said yes... it was free under the green deal. The team arrived .... one floor board removed, the gap was only 9" Bye Bye team.
Then to make it better, Mrs signed up for a brand new boiler ( she was on the dole for 3 weeks, so good timing), Got that.

Then the loft survey done years ago, showed we had 8" of insulation in the loft...... except the extention loft hatch is easy... the 120 sq mtr loft he didn't go in. So we didnt get that too. 

fenwick458

seems like a good idea, and it is probably possible in certain situations but I'm also pessimistic.
that prom vid is clearly not real life, I've looked under many floor voids like that and they all have a very uneven ground with 4" soil pipes, water pipes, mains electric cables, and loads of supporting walls in the way. I'd like to see that little robot get round all those (and manage to go through the walls)

Bendy_House

Danny30 said:

Hi, I have just been offered a free survey to see whether we can get underfloor installation installed. I have been told they would use something called Q-bot which I googled and can see uses spray foam insulation. I know that foam insulation is a disaster for lofts and was just wondering if it was also bad to be used for underfloor installation? 

Video showing how it works can be seen here

Wow! Cool bot!
I *think* that the issue you'd likely get with spraying lofts would NOT apply to under-floors.
With lofts, spraying the undersides of the roof sparking and joists will also have the effect of reducing ventilation around these parts, which is required since lofts are supplied by warm, moist air from the house.
Underfloor, however, should be different - all that's bathed in is cool external air, and now't from the house?
Ie, spray-foam like this shouldn't cause and condensation problems.
*That's just my understanding*
Mind you, relatively low losses are had via floors, so whether it's cost effective is another issue.

When I laid new T&G floors in my hallway, I first laid 8mm fibreboard (the stuff used as laminate underlay), sealing between each panel using frame sealant, and more importantly along where it joined the walls, and then put the boards on top. I wish I'd done the same with the bedrooms as I can feel the drafts coming out of these rooms on breezy days :-(

Chickereeeee

Has anybody any more experience or thoughts on this product?

The survey is now £90, but includes making access holes (lifting and relaying carpets if needed), checking for space, moisture levels in joists, air bricks, air flow, and sleeper walls. The product seems to be on the government approved method of applying UFI.

I don't like the thought of doing anything that cannot easily be reversed, but other than that, it seems worth considering.

JohnB47

I'm sorry if I'm being overly pessimistic here but the phrase " I have just been offered a free survey" really does sound major alarm bells. Like a riot in an alarm bell factory. Who would respond to that offer?

Mutton_Geoff

I wondered what had become of Huey & Dewey from the Valley Forge.