How to Apply Spray Foam Insulation

If you are a homeowner who is looking for a way to save some money, it may help if you take a look at the amount of money it is costing you to heat your home. To find out how much heat your home is losing, you may want to perform an energy loss assessment. If you find that your home is losing heat, this means that you are spending more money trying to heat your home and are also paying for the loss of energy. There is a way you can stop thermal energy from escaping and bring your heating costs down. Learning how to apply spray foam insulation can insulate your home against heat loss. It is very simple to apply spray foam insulation yourself.

First, you must determine where your home is losing energy. Chances are there are some gaps in your insulation that allows heat to escape your home. Once you have used a thermal energy detector to show you where those lost heat pockets are, you can mark the areas for foam insulation. It is important to apply spray foam insulation in between the studs that are located in the attic and walls. Spray foam often comes with a lifetime warranty and is also nontoxic. You do not have to use much, because a little goes a long way. Once you apply a little, it will start to expand. Spray foam is able to fill air pockets by expanding up to 90 times its original mass and volume. As your home gets older, and starts to shift by expanding and contracting, so will the foam. So there is no need for you to reapply any foam insulation.

The general rule of thumb when applying spray foam insulation is that if you are only going to do a small area, you can avoid the expense of hiring a contractor and do it yourself but if the area that needs insulation is fairly large, you will need a professional company since large insulation tasks will require the use of some different tools that are especially designed for larger jobs.

Remember if you decide to start applying foam insulation yourself, before you start on the area that needs the extra insulation; test a small and inconspicuous spot first. You want to make sure that you are not applying too much. You want to get a feel for the insulation gun before you do the real work.

Here's how to insulate a large space with spray foam insulation: When you do apply the foam to the location where it is needed, make sure you spread it evenly and allow it to expand completely. It will fill up all of the gaps and holes. After you allow the foam to completely dry, you will want to use some sort of blade or saw to remove any foam that protrudes above and beyond the studs in the walls. This will help to create a good surface for any drywall.