Spray foam insulation is still making houses unsellable where it is installed incorrectly. Lenders have turned down thousands of mortgages on the advice of surveyors and the only option is to have it removed. 

Some firms charge thousands for spray foam installation and fail to use it properly causing (or having the potential to cause) damp issues in roofs, even though a new code of practice has been issued. Removing it could be even more expensive as it can also require rooves to be replaced in some circumstances. 

Nationwide recently warned that problems caused by such insulation were recoketing. It was blamed for around 250,000 homes being ineligible for mortgages.

The lender said people were more vulnerable to rogue installers as they seek to make their homes more energy efficient and save money.

CODE OF PRACTICE

The Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA), which includes makers and installers, surveyors, valuers and lenders, published a code of practice on spray foam installation in May.

Independent surveyors trade body RPSA (Residential Property Surveyors Association) performed a U-turn last year on its guidance for spray foam installation.

The RPSA retracted the guidance, which said that if no detailed technical information was available then surveyors should recommend the foam is removed and the roof replaced.

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