How to Use Spray Foam Insulation in Existing Wall Cavities

One of the most efficient and cost-effective methods of insulating cavity walls is spray foam insulation. A cavity wall consists of 2 layers of wall separated by a cavity between them. Cavity wall insulation consists of filling the spaces between the cavities with some porous material so that the movement of air is blocked. The cavity wall insulation is highly regarded as a green method to warm up the home and simultaneously it reduces the heating costs as it helps minimize heat loss.

Check the Temperature of the Insulation Kit and Wall Surface

Before starting anything, the foam inside the spray tank needs to be at a certain temperature. Check the temperature of the tank at the base and of the wall surface. It has to be above 60 and below 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is below the desired levels then use the bullet-heating appliance to raise the temperature. However, if the temperature is beyond the desired range then wait some time for the material to cool down.

Clean the Wall Surface

Use a brush or broom to clean the dust or any kind of debris from the wall surface. It is necessary to allow the foam to stick properly to the wall surface.

Set up the Spray Kit

With the help of the wrench, fix the spray hose on the foam tank. The valves of the spray foam kit can be opened by rotating them in a counter-clockwise direction.

Spray Foam

Think of the spray foam insulation kit as a spray painting kit and apply a very thin layer of the foam on the surface to be insulated. Be very prudent while spraying so that the applied layer is uniform. Be cautious not to miss any spaces in the cavity walls.

Allow the Foam to Dry

Leave the cavity wall surface after spraying foam so that the foam layer dries up naturally from the surrounding air. Generally, it takes about 30 minutes for the foam to rise up and dry.

Check the Dried Surface

Once the application process is over and the foam layer dries up, check the cavity wall for any missed spaces. It will lead to poor cavity insulation and thus loss of heat. So if there are any portions missed while spraying foam, then apply foam there again as instructed above.

Cleaning Up

Once the cavity wall insulation is complete, close the valves and detach the spray hose from the spray tank. Clean up all the material and store them away from the reach of children and pets. The storage space should be safe, dry, cool, and away from any source of combustion.

Following the steps in this article, anyone can learn to use spray foam insulation in existing wall cavities and do it yourself in their homes. It saves a lot of cash from the living expenses of the family.