Installing Spray Foam Insulation Right the First Time
So you decided to start a spray foam insulation business. That's a great choice! As we've mentioned before, spray foam is much more energy efficient, protect a home from moisture, and can even strengthen a home. But now comes the hard part -- how do you install it properly?
A few weeks ago, we wrote about what can go wrong with installing spray foam. Problems such as not mixing the chemicals properly to not having the foam cure properly can occur, especially if you never did this before. So how can you prevent a catastrophe from happening?
Here is a handy guide you can follow to make sure you install your spray foam right the first time around.
Like spraying on a polyurea coating, you have to make sure the job site is prepared ahead of time. This may mean removing any existing insulation your home may have. This also means making sure the area is properly ventilated, that you have the right equipment for the job and that whoever is working with the product is wearing the right protective gear. Remember, these are toxic chemicals you're working with so you want to be safe.
In may also be beneficial to have the family vacate the home while the insulation is curing. This will protect them from any health risks.
Spray foam insulation is created when two chemicals are mixed together, resulting in a chemical reaction that creates the foam. But if the mixture is not properly balanced, the result could be an imperfect foam. Before starting to spray the area, it's best to test the ratio to make sure you have the proper mixture. This will help in preventing a problem of uncured foam or an inadequate product.
Temperature is key in setting up the foam. If your surface or the components are too cold, then the spray foam will come out much softer and spongy. This can lead to a loss in R value. But if the area or mixture is too hot, the foam will become crusty and flaky, again leading to a loss in R value. So you want to make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the proper equipment to get the right temperature.
When you're spraying, make sure you take your time. You want to spray very slowly and move away from what you sprayed. If you spray too fast, you're not going to put down the right amount of spray.
In addition, you want to make sure you don't overspray. Keep moving and don't stay in one spot for too long. If you spray in the same spot over and over again, it can prevent the foam from growing and you'll lose foam volume. Instead, wait a few minutes then check to see if you need to add another coat of foam to the area.
Once you're done with the spraying, check over what you've done to make sure everything has been covered properly and it's an even coat. You may want to wait 24 hours after the curing to check and make sure everything is sealed up tight.
And if you any help, we have experts standing by to help! Contact Marvel Industrial Coatings today for more information.
A few weeks ago, we wrote about what can go wrong with installing spray foam. Problems such as not mixing the chemicals properly to not having the foam cure properly can occur, especially if you never did this before. So how can you prevent a catastrophe from happening?
Here is a handy guide you can follow to make sure you install your spray foam right the first time around.
Step 1 - Prepare the Job Site
Like spraying on a polyurea coating, you have to make sure the job site is prepared ahead of time. This may mean removing any existing insulation your home may have. This also means making sure the area is properly ventilated, that you have the right equipment for the job and that whoever is working with the product is wearing the right protective gear. Remember, these are toxic chemicals you're working with so you want to be safe.
In may also be beneficial to have the family vacate the home while the insulation is curing. This will protect them from any health risks.
Step 2 - Test the Foam
Spray foam insulation is created when two chemicals are mixed together, resulting in a chemical reaction that creates the foam. But if the mixture is not properly balanced, the result could be an imperfect foam. Before starting to spray the area, it's best to test the ratio to make sure you have the proper mixture. This will help in preventing a problem of uncured foam or an inadequate product.
Step 3 - Spray at the Right Temperature
Temperature is key in setting up the foam. If your surface or the components are too cold, then the spray foam will come out much softer and spongy. This can lead to a loss in R value. But if the area or mixture is too hot, the foam will become crusty and flaky, again leading to a loss in R value. So you want to make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the proper equipment to get the right temperature.
Step 4 - Spray Nice and Even
When you're spraying, make sure you take your time. You want to spray very slowly and move away from what you sprayed. If you spray too fast, you're not going to put down the right amount of spray.
In addition, you want to make sure you don't overspray. Keep moving and don't stay in one spot for too long. If you spray in the same spot over and over again, it can prevent the foam from growing and you'll lose foam volume. Instead, wait a few minutes then check to see if you need to add another coat of foam to the area.
Step 5 - Check Your Work
Once you're done with the spraying, check over what you've done to make sure everything has been covered properly and it's an even coat. You may want to wait 24 hours after the curing to check and make sure everything is sealed up tight.
And if you any help, we have experts standing by to help! Contact Marvel Industrial Coatings today for more information.