Polyurethane Foam Insulation Dangers to Avoid

When installing polyurethane foam insulation there are some common dangers which are best to avoid. By learning about these dangers now you can ensure that you do everything you can to avoid them being a problem. Polyurethane foam insulation is a very useful product and as long as it's treated with care it's perfectly safe. Polyurethane foam insulation can be installed by anyone with basic DIY skills and they shouldn't encounter any problems if they are careful and respect the material. There are two different types of polyurethane foam insulation, spray on expanding foam and sheets which can be cut to shape.

Dust

Dust is around us every day but certain types of dust can be very dangerous and are best avoided. It's always best to avoid any dust when cutting or sanding polyurethane foam insulation sheets because this could be dangerous. Wear a face mask to ensure that you don't breathe any dust in.

Clothing

When working with polyurethane foam insulation you will also need to use adhesive. If any of this adhesive gets onto your clothing then it will ruin them. That's why it's important to ensure you wear old clothes or overalls to protect yourself.

Fumes

When using adhesive to secure the insulation in place you may need to use adhesive, this can give off fumes which is why you should only do this in a well-ventilated area. Open all of the doors and windows to ensure that enough air flows around the room.

A respirator is advisable for anyone working with spray foam insulation because the fumes for this can be particularly nasty.

Allergies

When using spray polyurethane foam insulation this can cause allergic reactions in some people. Always wear face masks and prevent contact of the skin with the skin and eyes. If the foam does come into contact with your eyes then they must be rinsed out thoroughly.

Environmental Dangers

Polyurethane foam is made from fossil fuels and so is not really friendly to the environment, this foam also sometimes uses greenhouse gasses to propel the foam and is sometimes toxic when burnt. Although there are fire resistant types of foam on the market these do burn and will create toxic fumes.

Covering Vents

Another very common problem when using foam insulation is accidentally covering vents or other openings with the foam. This will prevent the vents from getting rid of moisture which can cause damage to the insulation itself and will also result in damp and moisture problems in the rest of your home.

Covering any vents can cause much more harm than good as it can potentially cause damage to the decor in your home.

Using Wrong Foam

There are lots of different types of insulation foam, it's important that you choose the right one which will provide your home with plenty of insulation. When installing this foam it's always important to ensure that you're choosing fireproof insulation which won't catch fire. Even recycled insulation such as cellulose can be treated with fireproofing chemicals to make them much safer to use.