The Internet is full of horror stories.
Whether you’re looking up your medical symptoms or information on spray foam insulation, the outlook isn’t good, and a lot of times isn’t accurate.
The Internet is a great place to get information, but it’s also not great for getting the most accurate info. I definitely see the irony of this because you found this article on the Internet.
As the general manager here at RetroFoam of Michigan, I understand the ins and outs of the smell associated with closed cell spray foam. The thing to keep in mind is that not all products are created equal. Some spray foams could have stronger smells than others and the installation also plays a huge role.
For example, the closed cell spray foam we use has little and a homeowner can re-enter their home as soon as we’re done. There are other products that have a re-occupancy of 48 hours after installation.
We want to give homeowners the most accurate information they will need to make the best decision for their project. So, let’s get started, shall we?
How to Get Rid of Spray Foam Smell
If you want to get rid of the smell of closed cell spray foam, the best measure is to prevent it.
What it comes down to is making sure the work area is well ventilated. A good contractor will use an air exchanger to make sure fresh air is getting into the workspace.
An air exchanger works by circulating that indoor air out of your home while also circulating fresh air from outside.
Ventilation after the job also plays an important role as well. If the closed cell spray foam is installed into a very tight space, you may need to vent that space to allow fresh air to get inside. Ventilation is great for prevention, and for products that tend to have a stronger odor.
Think about if you burn something in your oven. The first thing you do is open your doors and windows to get the smell out of your house. Letting fresh air into your home is a great way to flush out any smell.
Lastly, make sure all existing insulation material that was removed beforehand, and other debris are cleared out once the job is complete. These items can retain that odor and let it linger in your home a lot longer than you want it to.
These measures mentioned above will only work if the closed cell spray foam is of good quality. Cheaper isn’t always better, especially when you’re buying foam insulation for your home.
A lot of the horror stories you likely saw online come from low-quality products. If you couple poor-quality materials with an inexperienced contractor, you could get stuck with that smell in your home a lot longer than you’d like.
Hiring an experienced spray foam insulation contractor is by far one of the best ways to combat closed cell spray foam smell. The equipment and expertise the experienced contractor has will help to avoid this smell altogether.
Foam Insulation for Your Home
Don’t let the horror stories you read on the Internet sway your decision on foam insulation for your home.
Find an experienced, specialized foam insulation contractor and do your research into them. How long have they been installing foam insulation? What products do they use? What are other homeowners saying about them?
We can definitely help you out when it comes to learning more about foam insulation. We have a Learning Center full of resources, as well as a YouTube show called Foam University by RetroFoam where yours truly answers questions about all things foam insulation.
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