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Attics and basements act as great storage add-ons for excess housing essentials. But they’re also portals for outside elements to seep into your home, causing damage.
Worse, windows and walls do the same thing. You can combat that yourself with the right type of insulation—a simple DIY spray foam job.
Spray foam creates an air-tight seal around your home, plugging holes and cracks. This moisture barrier helps homeowners save on energy expenses and cut down on mold in the home.
A mold-free living environment is an eco-friendly living space with a longer life-span.
If you’re looking for a cost-efficient way to protect your home, you need to read this. Here are some helpful tips and techniques for DIY spray foam insulation.
In This Post:
Before Using Your DIY Spray Foam, Put on the Proper Gear
Spray-foam keeps your home eco-friendly. But, it’s also a chemical. So you need to use protective equipment during its application.
Put on the proper gear.
Consider your lungs by using a respirator mask. Respirator masks cover your mouth and nose, filtering out airborne particles. Surround the mask with a full protective bodysuit.
The suit needs to cover the top of your head and down around your shoes. Tuck your gloves under your sleeves then tape them down. Wear turned over sneakers and goggles to shield your eyes.
Have someone double-check your gear to make sure you’re secured all the way around.
Map out a Plan
If you’ve never done work like this alone, don’t go about it trigger happy. Spraying without a plan lead to mistakes and damage to your home.
Do a complete examination of every area around the home. Check for moisture and wets spots. If you find any, hold off until that section dries.
Spraying foam insulation on a wet surface is like trying to mix oil and water. Check the weather and coordinate a week or two of turning off the sprinklers. You want to spray on a dry surface.
Gather all your materials and designate a starting point. Begin at the back of the house. That way if you make a mistake, it’s not a big eye-sore you can see from the street.
Test out your spray skills. Aim at a test target first. Spray into a box or trash bag. Do a full spray so you can feel the power of the sprayer.
Cover the Windows
Sounds simple. But whether they’re painting or using spray foam insulation people forget this step all the time.
Cut out large pieces of plastic and staple them over the windows. Leave out the space between the frame and the window. Don’t overlook doors and outside outlets.
Cover those with masking tape. Write this step down in your pre-plan. Forgetting to cover these areas creates a mess and could suspend your spray job.
Try Your Hand at it
DIY spray foam isn’t kiddy glue or pray spraint. So although you can handle it, you need to make a plan before you jump into it.
The spray kits are easy to set up and learn. But, if you’re concerned about first-time failure, consult with a professional.
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