Spray foam is a great insulation option for year-round weather. However, certain weather conditions can make installing it difficult. Make sure you know how temperature and weather affect spray foam application so that you don’t waste materials or have to perform a respray job.
Temperature and Spray Foam
For a successful spray foam application, there are a couple factors to note prior to installation—temperature is one of these factors. You want your environment to meet a specific temperature range; otherwise, your spray foam could have yield or adhesion problems. Most spray foam manufacturers recommend spraying at temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a common contractor concern during the fall and winter, when temperatures drop below this threshold. You should also make sure to store your spray foam equipment above 60 degrees Fahrenheit so that it doesn’t freeze or crystallize.
Weather and Spray Foam
Weather conditions can also be a restriction for spray foam installations. Besides the temperature changes that come with winter weather, other weather effects such as rain can also stall a spray foam insulation job. You want to make sure the surface you’re spraying doesn’t contain excess moisture, or you could have adhesion problems. Moisture buildup could also cause mold problems in common spray foaming areas such as the attic.
Make sure to stay updated with your favorite weather reporting source the day before and the day of an installation job. You don’t want to have to respray after rain starts pouring down.
Other Restrictions
There are some other spray foam restrictions to watch out for on the job. UV rays can negatively affect spray foam. Direct sunlight on spray-foamed surfaces can yellow and degrade the spray foam after just days of exposure. High winds can also make it difficult to apply spray foam, as drafts can be harder to fill in and overspray can occur. You can use windscreens and other barricades to prevent the transfer of spray foam in the wind.
It’s important for insulation contractors to know the different conditions that can affect their spray foam installation jobs. Before an installation, make sure to note how temperature and weather affect spray foam application and which of these conditions may affect your job site. Reach out to Spray Foam Systems if you have questions about our spray foam systems and their requirements for such conditions.
