Roof Foam Insulation- Beware !!

[MPF9]

A number of years ago we were at the Good Homes Exhibition, and were taken by the idea of insulating the Roof by means of Spray Foam. This was popular at the time. However it is now viewed by Mortage lenders as a No No, as possibly it could cause rafter to rot

At a recent valuation of our house, I was told the House was unmorteagable because of this installation.Has anyone else such experience, and found a solution to the problem. I did find a Remover of foam on line, but feel that the Company is perhaps not to be trusted. May have to find funds to have whole Roof removed.
Please be aware that many Companies still market Roof Foam Installation, take care as despite the so called benefits- you could drastically devalue your property.

 

[UKRob]

A few years ago we lived in a house built in 1927 - slates were hung with no tar paper or other insulation behind - and mortar was then used inside to stop rain and snow driving in. Over the years the mortar became loose and started to drop out so when we decided to have full thickness insulation installed in the loft, I looked at the spray option. However, there seemed to be a split as to whether it was good or bad so, we decided to have the beams lagged with a breathable membrane which at least stopped the problem of dust.
When we sold the house the buyer’s mortgage was conditional on having the tiles re-pointed inside the loft - a cheaper option than removing the tiles and installing felt or whatever.
The strange thing is that when we bought the house just three years earlier, the roof tiles were not mentioned, so I guess that the work we had carried out raised the issue.

 

[Holyzeus]

I was a roofer for 28 years, a cowboy thought of that idea, pure and simple.
Probably a rich one now though

 

[UKRob]

I was a roofer for 28 years, a cowboy thought of that idea, pure and simple.
Probably a rich one now though

I would love to claim that it was an Indian - but apparently it was Otto Bayer - a German.

 

[R181]

I had to look this roof foam insulation process up never having heard of it. Wow, nothing like trapping the heat and humidity in the attic space. Small wonder that over time rafters could start to rot.

Bob

 

[Vacumatic]

I remember this spray foam but the idea of mortgage companies saying it is a no no is new to me. I think that the idea was that foam was sprayed onto the the underside of the roof lining and the rafters, it was widely advertised at the time.

It is certainly a fact that the rafters need to be able to loose moisture, that is why we have airbricks in the roof spaces of many houses.

Thanks for the tip off MPF, especially as I may be moving house over the next year, something to look out for.