Category: Uncategorized

Can Spray Foam Insulation Help Reduce Condensation in My Home?

When a house is equipped with poor insulation, you’re more likely to see rot and mold plaguing the walls. This is due to condensation forming inside the building, but how does that happen? Foam Bear Tampa will let you in on the secret to condensation and how spray foam insulation can prevent this occurrence.

What Causes Condensation in the Home?

As you might have guessed, mold is the result of moisture building up in a certain spot until the area becomes comfortable enough for bacteria to thrive. But how does that moisture get inside the house in the first place? Moisture is carried through the air, and so any existing air leaks act as a pathway for water molecules to travel inside. These air leaks are typically the result of poorly-installed or outdated insulation. Any minor gap or crack is all that’s needed to instigate this phenomenon. If left unchecked, the moisture collects and grows until it promotes a hazardous environment. The presence of mold can induce allergic reactions, sneezing, coughing, and even permanent damage to the lungs. Needless to say, keeping your home moisture-free is crucial.

How Spray Foam Insulation Prevents Moisture Buildup

To avoid air leakage into your home, you’ll need the most efficient form of insulation that provides a completely tight seal while being resilient enough to last a lifetime. Spray foam insulation is the best type of insulation for the job! When it comes to spray foam, there are two different kinds to consider, both of them being a great choice for preventing condensation in the home:

• Closed-cell spray foam doesn’t absorb water, which makes it a great moisture repellant.
• Open-cell spray foam absorbs moisture, but dries it up so it cannot do any damage.

It’s common for contractors to utilize the benefits of both types of spray foam for the most ideal setup in protecting your home against the elements. But no matter how good the foam is, having the right contractor makes all the difference.

Why Expert Installation Matters

Spraying a compound onto your walls may seem like an easy task at first, but there’s much more to it that only an expert in spray foam will know about. First, the home must be evaluated in order to find the best areas for applying the foam. Even if you know where to apply it, it’s still possible for spray foam to be completely ineffective if it’s not applied well enough to provide a completely tight seal. This is the most important step in ensuring that moisture doesn’t make it into the home. An expert will also know the correct thickness when applying and how to properly mix the compounds for maximum efficiency.

The Best Spray Foam Company in Tampa!

By consulting the spray foam experts at Foam Bear Tampa, we’ll make sure your home is sealed up nice and tight to prevent condensation from forming inside of your home. Closing up any gaps for air leaks will also save you a great deal of money on your energy bill due to a more efficient HVAC. Call us today at (727) 580-1090 for a free quote!

How Can I Tell if There’s Mold in my Home’s Insulation?

Did you know that your insulation could be hiding mold? Under the right circumstances, mold can grow in your home right under your nose. How can you tell if your house is contaminated? The experts at Foam Bear Orlando are here to teach you how to tell if there’s mold in your home’s insulation and what you can do.

How Mold Forms in Homes

Mold requires the perfect ecosystem to thrive, and poor insulation can help expedite the process. This is because outdated insulation, especially fiberglass, is more likely to contain gaps in-between the seams where air can travel through. Under certain outdoor temperatures such as on warm and humid days, moisture can be carried through the air causing a wet environment inside of your home. This is how mold can grow indoors.

Finding Traces of Mold

Since your insulation is meant to be the barrier separating the outdoors from the indoors, it’s the first place that’s affected by mold. If you suspect mold is growing in your home, take a look at your insulation first and foremost. Just be sure to wear protective gear like gloves and a mask so you don’t come into contact with or ingest any hazardous spores. With the help of a flashlight, you can check your insulation for discoloration like black, green, or gray. If your insulation is behind a wall, the surrounding wood will be soft and give into pressure when you poke it. You’ll also notice a pungent smell similar to that of old wet paper or dirty laundry.

Mold Inspection Checklist

● A strong, noticeable smell ● Discoloration in the insulation ● Weakened material around the insulation

Bodily Reactions to Mold

If you find traces of mold in your home, it’s best to get it treated immediately as it could affect your health. Many people who have been exposed to mold spores have experienced the following:

• Coughing / Asthma
• Irritated eyes and skin
• Dry and scratchy throat
• Tiredness and fatigue

Some people don’t realize they’re exposed to mold until they begin to develop more drastic symptoms that can turn into chronic illnesses. Spending the time to clear your home of mold is better than letting your symptoms evolve to the point of being untreatable.

Switch to New Spray Foam Insulation!

You can easily avoid mold altogether by switching your old and ineffective insulation to brand-new spray foam insulation. Spray foam provides a tighter seal than traditional fiberglass insulation, so there’s less chance of air leaking into your home and creating the ideal conditions for mold. Since spray foam expands, it can easily close up hard-to-reach spots, making it much more reliable than precut sheets which don’t always line up right for adequate protection.

The Best Spray Foam Company in Orlando

Foam Bear Orlando is the best place in Florida for the best quality spray foam with expert insulation. We’ve been serving the area for many years by providing tight insulation to last a lifetime! Call (727) 580-1090 today for a free estimate. We can clear your home of your old insulation before equipping your walls with an impeccable line of defense against the elements to keep you and your loved ones safe.