Spray Foam Loft Insulation- Am I ok?

Mbday

My house was built in 2005 and had spray foam insulation applied in the eaves/loft when built.  I have a 25 year guarantee certificate for the insulation against defective workmanship, by a company called Renotherm.  They still seem to be trading and I have found this information regarding their quality standards.  Anyone any views on whether this will count for anything with surveyors and mortgage companies, given current concerns about spray foam?  I am considering selling next year.  Thanks in advance.

Mbday

Mbday said:

My house was built in 2005 and had spray foam insulation applied in the eaves/loft when built.  I have a 25 year guarantee certificate for the insulation against defective workmanship, by a company called Renotherm.  They still seem to be trading and I have found this information regarding their quality standards.  Anyone any views on whether this will count for anything with surveyors and mortgage companies, given current concerns about spray foam?  I am considering selling next year.  Thanks in advance.

Actually, just checked on Companies House and can see they went bust in 2012.  Guess that means I am in the same boat as everyone else who has spray foam insulation.😟

dimbo61

Yes I am afraid so and yet I see TV adverts about this every day 😡
You can't inspect the inside of the roof and all the timbers could be rotten and damp from years of water getting in 

TheJP

Spray foam insulation = Barge pole...

flashg67

A house built in 2005 will have roofing felt fitted, so the foam isn't as destructive as where it is fitted direct to the underside of the slates in older/unfelted houses... AFAIK

diystarter7

Hi Op

Sorry to hear about that. Sadly, another case of warranty/guarantee is not worth the toilet paper it's written on.

If anyone wants to believe in a guarantee, please ensure its insurance is backed. This will cover stuff if appropriate if the outfit goes bellies up.

Mbday

The guarantee was, supposedly, backed up by the installers trade body, BUFCA…….only they were dissolved in April of this year.  Wonder if they knew something we didn’t.  

jimjames

If it was done when built have the builders got liability if they're still around? Seems a slightly different situation if part of a new build rather than retro fitted.

user1977

jimjames said:

If it was done when built have the builders got liability if they're still around? Seems a slightly different situation if part of a new build rather than retro fitted.

Has it ever been installed as part of a newbuild? I would have thought it simpler just to install conventional installation while building. But in answer to the question, I don't see why the builders would have any more liability for this than for any other element of the house. So if you're beyond the 10 years of your NHBC (or similar) warranty, that's your lot.

Mbday

No, it was done as part of new build, but agree builder has no liability. I have no reason to think the insulation wasn’t done properly (and we are now 18 years down the track), but obviously all such installations are currently being viewed in the same negative light.  Hopefully the protocols currently being worked on will help bring some clarification.  I understand there are surveys which can help identify roof damage (damp penetration). 

rc28

If the insulation was installed whilst your house was being built, in theory the spray foam horror stories shouldn't apply. Condensation risks should have been completed and signed off by building control/New build warranty provider.

Saying that i believe some/all lenders have a blanket ban on the foam, we were looking to use it in our self build, (when done correctly it can offer good air tightness and insulation levels) but the resale risk put us off.

Assuming a mortgage surveyor can see spray foam between the rafters, if it's covered by plasterboard they wouldn't know what insulation is there?