DIY residential and commercial projects are usually smart ways to save money around your home or business. However, when it comes to DIY spray foam insulation, homeowners and business owners should leave these jobs to a professional. Insulation projects are complex and pose unique challenges and risks for contractors. Professional spray foam contractors have the proper training and safety equipment to meet these challenges, while DIY handymen do not. Here are the six biggest reasons why DIY spray foam projects are a bad idea.
No Formal Training
Your average home or business owner won’t have the professional training required to complete a spray foam project. Applying spray foam insulation is a complex process that involves precise equipment, application times, and experience. Professional contractors understand the science behind spray foam ingredients and how the foam reacts to various conditions. Without the proper training, amateur spray foam installers can’t reach the same quality as professional foam installers. A lack of training will lead to poor-quality jobs, and inexperienced applicators could injure themselves and cause accidents.
Lack of Protective Gear
Not only will inadequate levels of training put DIY contractors at risk, but a lack of protective gear can cause even more safety problems. Homeowners and business owners who attempt DIY spray foam projects don’t have the professional-level safety equipment that these projects require. Professional spray foam contractors utilize PPE such as protective goggles, face shields, full-body suits, and heavy-duty gloves to protect themselves from spray foam exposure. The materials contractors mix to create foam insulation can be hazardous to use without the proper PPE. Amateur home or business renovators could take shortcuts when collecting these safety essentials, putting themselves at risk during the application process.
Don’t Have the Right Equipment
There are spray foam kits and refills available at your local hardware store, but this doesn’t mean that just anyone should start a large-scale project with them. These spray foam kits are usually meant for fixing small cracks in a home’s siding, concrete, insulation, and more. If a homeowner were to try to singlehandedly take on a full insulation project, it would be difficult to accomplish. Professional contractors have the technical equipment they need to perform an efficient and effective spray foam job every time.
If you’re a spray foam contractor looking for equipment to help run your insulation business, look no further than Spray Foam Systems. We offer a variety of commercial spray foam insulation equipment to bolster your business. Our equipment solutions are the perfect fit for professional-level contractors with the experience to use them, not inexperienced homeowners trying a DIY project.
Improper Application Techniques
A lack of professional spray foam training will lead to improper application techniques. Professional contractors can often pick out DIY spray foam jobs due to patchy application, which leaves gaps and creates inefficient insulation. DIY spray foam installers aren’t usually familiar with the optimal spray foam thickness either. This leads to DIY sprays being either too thick or too thin. Some parts of the application can be a mix of both, which makes these jobs difficult to remedy.
Additionally, the spray foam mixture itself can be hard for homeowners to get right. There is a specific ratio of chemical ingredients contractors must reach to formulate a batch of spray foam insulation. When homeowners try to mix their own spray foam ingredients, it can be dangerous and lead to off-ratio mixtures, which will just waste materials and money.
DIY Application Risks
Many pieces of professional spray foam equipment feature warning labels that read “for professional use only.” Manufacturers include these warning labels for a good reason—this equipment can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Spray foam equipment, mixing materials, and the application process itself are hazardous to inexperienced homeowners. Spray foam materials produce chemical odors that are toxic and dangerous to breathe in. These odors don’t pose a threat after the material has cured, but improper spraying techniques can delay or prevent the curing process.
Additionally, spray foam is flammable before curing. Homeowners and business owners may not know how to disable their building’s furnace and other heating measures, which could cause fire to break out during the spray foam process. Professional contractors always prepare their spraying area thoroughly before they begin an application.
Removal Is Costly
Many homeowners or business owners may try to apply their own insulation to save money. However, improper insulation techniques and lack of training will only lead to poor-quality insulation attempts. In the end, these buildings could need a professional contractor to visit, remove the patchy insulation, and apply new spray foam. Spray foam has the potential to last for decades, so you can understand how difficult the removal process is. It fits into the nooks and crannies of your building’s structure to prevent air transfers. The removal process is a waste of time and money for everyone involved. Spray foam removal is costly, but it is an expense that homeowners can avoid by simply leaving the spray foam application to the professionals.
Importance of Professional Spray Foam Installation
Now that you know the biggest reasons to stay away from DIY spray foam applications, it’s easier to understand why professional applications are so important. Professional insulation contractors have the training, equipment, and safety gear required to complete these types of jobs. For homeowners, acquiring these skills and materials will be more costly than scheduling a professional application. Hiring a professional helps homeowners and business owners avoid putting themselves and their building’s occupants at risk from a poor spray foam installation. Professional-level installations are crucial for keeping everyone safe and preventing long-term injuries or poor insulation.
As a professional contractor, it’s important to remind homeowners and business owners of these reasons why DIY spray foam projects are a bad idea. Advise your clients to seek professional advice and help for reapplications, inspections, and other insulation-related maintenance for their homes or businesses. And don’t forget to browse our selection of professional-level spray foam equipment here at Spray Foam Systems. We understand the importance of delivering a quality, professional-level spray foam application and can provide the high-quality equipment your business needs.
