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Can I Be Home While Having Spray Foam Installed?

The short answer is no, it is unsafe to be indoors while spray foam insulation is being applied. However, a good contractor will be able to properly inform you of everything you need to know beforehand, and the wait time might not be as awful as you think. The experts at Foam Bear Orlando will walk you through the steps so you and your family can stay safe and enjoy a well-insulated home.

Why Spray Foam Needs to Ventilate

When you look into the properties of spray foam insulation, you’ll be surprised to know that it begins as two different liquids which react to each other and create foam on the spot in an instant. More specifically, this magical mixture is made up of cellular plastic which, like anything that comes in an aerosol can such as bug spray, can occupy the surrounding air in the form of small particles. Unless you have a biohazard suit on hand, it’s better to wait for the fresh particles to ventilate and the foam to finish hardening. After the re-occupancy time suggested by your contractor, your home will be completely safe to occupy again just like normal.

What Is Reoccupancy Time?

The re-occupancy time is the amount of time you need to wait before re-entering your home. This time frame is not one-size-fits-all. There are a number of factors that are considered when calculating your particular re-occupancy time, such as:

• The quality of the spray polyurethane foam (SPF) formulation
• The current temperature at which the foam is drying
• The presence of humidity which could prolong the time it takes to dry
• The amount of foam in relation to the volume of space it is occupying
• The rate of ventilation in your home

Based on existing data, reoccupancy times can vary anywhere from one hour to 72. On average, many homeowners end up only waiting out a 24-hour cycle. If that’s the case, make a fun night out of it by staying over at a friend’s house or taking a mini-vacation!

Things Your Contractor Should Know

First off, the contractor you choose should lay out the plan for you ahead of time, so you know exactly what to expect, and that includes your reoccupancy time. They will evaluate the amount of area that needs to be covered as well as what kind of foam to use for your particular needs. A great contractor will be able to inform you of every one of these details so there won’t be any misunderstandings when it’s too late to turn back.

An expert contractor will also have no problem performing all the necessary safety procedures to ensure that everyone involved is safe. This includes:

• Ensuring that all unprotected living beings are off the premises before beginning
• Completely blocking off the area being treated to avoid surprise visitors
• Locating any potential fire starters and steering clear from them or making sure they are unplugged or turned off
• Minimizing overspray and controlling dust during installation
• Cleaning up every single little thing upon leaving to avoid any mishaps
• Informing you of proper ventilation methods to help you speed up the reoccupancy time

The Best Spray Foam Contractors In Orlando

Finding expert spray foam insulation contractors in Orlando isn’t so difficult. You need someone who is licensed, certified, and insured to protect both parties, and Foam Bear Orlando fits the bill! Give us a call today for a free estimate.

Keep Out the Summer Heat with Spray Foam Insulation

Have you ever tried cranking your air conditioner in a desperate fight against the unforgiving summer heat, only to end up losing the battle? No matter how you set your thermostat, it won’t matter if your home isn’t properly insulated. The experts at Foam Bear Tampa will teach you how spray foam insulation can effectively keep you out of the summer heat.

Keep Hot Air Outside

The first step in having a cool home is to make sure no heat gets inside. The sun is a very powerful source of heat that can penetrate your walls and fill your home. Therefore, properly insulating your roof is key to shielding against the sun’s intense rays. Dense insulation like closed-cell spray foam is perfect for lining the interior of your roofing as the first line of defense since it’ll be more difficult for heat to penetrate, and the spray foam will absorb most of the heat that it touches.

Keep Cold Air Inside

Once you’ve effectively protected your home from the hot air, the next step is to make sure the cold air that you create with your air conditioning unit stays inside. By making sure that every single little crack and gap in your walls and roofing is completely sealed up, you eliminate any escape route for the cold air to leave your home. Basically, the goal of home insulation regarding temperature is to make it so there’s no way in or out for any source of air. Traditional fiberglass insulation doesn’t effectively seal up gaps which is why you may still experience heat inside of your home. Open-cell spray foam insulation expands up to three inches which makes it ideal for targeting any paths for air to enter or escape.

The Process of Air Exchange

No matter where we go or where we are, we are always completely surrounded by air. It’s just a matter of whether that air is cool or not. When cold air escapes your home through gaps in the wall, it is then replaced by hot air. This is likely the reason why you still feel warm inside the house even when your AC unit is turned on. Expertly-installed spray foam insulation prevents this air exchange from happening so you can be surrounded by only cold air.

How Air Exchange Affects Your AC Unit

If you’re experiencing heat even though you have your thermostat set super low, you’re most likely experiencing an air exchange that causes your AC to unnecessarily overwork itself. When your AC is unable to catch up to meet the demand that you set for it, it’s more prone to breaking. So not only will you have to pay a higher energy bill from it constantly working its hardest, but you may also have to spend money on repairs as well. Worst case, you could need a replacement altogether which will cost you so much more.

Where to Get Spray Foam Insulation in Tampa

Make hot summer days a breeze by securing your home with spray foam insulation! Foam Bear Tampa is the best place in the area to equip your home with either closed-cell or open-cell spray foam insulation, both of which work effectively in keeping hot air out and cold air in. Call us today for a free estimate!