I know what you're thinking. You're wondering exactly how the installer knows when the injection foam insulation has filled the wall cavity when they can't see inside.

RetroFoam of Michigan has more than 20 years of experience installing spray and injection foam insulation in thousands of homes across the Lower Peninsula. Our crews are trained to ensure the cavity where the foam insulation is being installed is full, giving your home the coverage it needs to be more comfortable and energy-efficient.

So, how do the installers know when the wall is filled? Let's jump right into it.

Can Foam Insulation Be Installed in Existing Walls and Completely Fill the Cavity?

Yes, you can install foam insulation into existing walls without the hassle of tearing them down or waiting for your next remodel.

RetroFoam insulation, with a texture similar to shaving cream, is injected into your walls. This unique composition allows it to flow around obstacles like water pipes and wiring, ensuring the entire cavity is filled without any issues.

Our skilled RetroFoam installers use a precise process to guarantee that every nook and cranny of the wall cavity is properly insulated. Curious about how it's done? Let's dive into the installation process.

The Insulation Installation Process

Foam can be injected into existing walls without removing any existing fiberglass insulation.

If cellulose is in the cavity, it may need to be vacuumed out in some cases, but it can usually stay right where it is.

In most cases, exterior walls can be insulated from the outside of the home. In rare cases, the installation may need to be done from the inside.

For the purpose of this article, let's first discuss aluminum and vinyl siding and then how the cavities are filled for walls with brick exteriors.

Aluminum and Vinyl Siding Installation Process

For homes with aluminum or vinyl siding, a piece of siding is removed, and a 2 1/2-inch hole is drilled into each stud cavity.

A crew member will run a Slim Jim up and down the cavity. This is done for several reasons:

• To ensure there are no fire stops or no studs that will prohibit the hose from getting all the way to the top.
• This is also done to feel for the next stud. This ensures the installer has a good idea of what is in the cavity from top to bottom and side to side.

The installer will then run the injection hose all the way to the top of the cavity and then all the way to the bottom. If the installer runs into any obstructions or blockages, another hole will be drilled either above or below it, and more foam will be injected to ensure the cavity is completely filled.

Once the cavity has been completely filled, the holes are then plugged, and the siding is replaced.

Brick Exterior Installation Process

How to install foam insulation in walls with brick exterior is quite different from vinyl or aluminum siding.

A 5/8-inch hole is drilled at the top, middle, and bottom of each stud cavity. This method ensures the cavity is completely filled with injection foam.

After the foam has been injected, the drilled holes are then filled with mortar.

Adding Injection Foam Insulation to Existing Walls

Once the work is completed, if at any time the homeowner feels an area has been missed, RetroFoam of Michigan has their back.

If a homeowner continues to feel a draft or problem area after we’ve installed the insulation, the crew will come out and do a thermal image scan to look for voids. If we find any missed areas, our lifetime warranty ensures we will re-fill them at no cost to the homeowner.

If you would like to continue on your educational journey about spray and injection foam insulation, check out our Learning Center.

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