Spray Foam is a problem blighting the whole of the UK 

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Over the last year, we have had hundreds of customers across the UK call in with spray foam loft insulation problems, looking for our help to get a refund and to assist them with removal. 

 

Spray foam loft insulation is an unregulated industry that is currently targeting the elderly and the vulnerable for a quick sale then disappearing when a problem arises. 

 

Spray foam can be harmful both to your health and to your home. All Polyurethane spray foam contains two chemical components, the first is resin and the second is isocyanates, which are hazardous to health. When the installers arrive at a property they have to wear full PPE and respirators when they install it. Isocyanates can cause permanent and incurable respiratory issues. 

If you purchased spray foam insulation for your home were you asked to vacate the home for 24 hours during and following the installation? 

 

You cannot get a mortgage or equity release on a home with incorrectly installed spray foam insulation. This is because of the potential damage it can cause to your roof. It can trap moisture against the wooden rafters of your home which will cause them to rot, and no one can see if that is happening or not until the spray foam has been removed. 

 

Rotted rafters can lead to a house needing an entirely new roof which is an expensive and potentially lengthy process. 

 

Recently in the Property Wire Digital Magazine, the President of Huntsman has condemned the high pressure sales tactics used to sell spray foam insulation and these tactics include salespeople telling customers they are surveyors, using high pressure to get them to sign and then have it installed quickly (before the end of the consumer cancellation period), and Simon Baker, president of Huntsman Building Solutions, said: "Recent reports of high-pressure selling tactics are shocking and abhorrent, and we strongly condemn any firm using these underhand tactics to mis-sell spray foam insulation". 

"We also denounce those deliberately targeting vulnerable groups such as the elderly. These businesses are a blight on our industry and are causing significant distress to homeowners". 

 

In Scotland, STV have been running a series of articles that vividly depict the issues with spray foam and the selling tactics that can accompany it to raise awareness and protect the people of Scotland. 

 

The Scottish Crown Court is now also looking to intervene having received a collection of complaints complied by Trading Standards Scotland. These spray foam companies often say they are endorsed by or work in conjunction with the government, which is not true as a spokesperson states on behalf of the Scottish government;

“Scottish Government schemes such as Warmer Homes Scotland and the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme can only be accessed by contacting Home Energy Scotland, who provide free, expert and impartial advice about how to make homes warmer and less costly to heat.

“Local projects will always be backed up by an official letter from your local council.”

 

It is important the Scottish government clarifies this as it is not only to protect themselves when these products go wrong, but also to prove to consumers that it is all a scam, these salesmen do not have the backing of the government and that the government is really trying to protect them. 

 

Unfortunately, though, it is not just what these companies say that is wrong but also what they do. I am sure you are familiar with the saying ‘actions speak louder then words’ and in this instance that still rings true. 

 

Not only are they fully aware they are mis-selling a product, but they also then have the cheek to endlessly harass customers for the payment! 

 

Jana Bennett (85) paid a deposit of £766 to an unnamed company. After paying this deposit she found out about the true damage spray foam insulation can cause and contacted trading standards who told her to write a letter stating she would not pay the remaining balance. She was then chased and harassed for the rest of the money by the company, who even threatened to come and remove the foam! (that is not the threat they think it is). 

 

This is not an isolated incident. Mr and Mrs Barton have also reported to STV about their ordeal with spray foam. They did go through with the installation having been pressured into the sale by a ‘surveyor’ who started to tell a tale of how their loft was poorly insulated and the effects that had etc. ‘They trapped us by our non-knowledge of the product’ said Mrs Barton. 

 

Once they realised the damage it can cause, spent £11,000 on a specialist removal team to come and do the job. They are currently pursuing a legal claim to get their money back. 

 

These articles highlight what can happen to anyone that has been mis-sold spray foam, but what if that person is you? 

 

Here at Foam Guard, we work to protect consumers from scams and help people that are unfortunate enough to be scammed to try and reclaim their money.