Can exterior foam insulation cause mold and moisture problems?

The benefit of foam insulation in the exterior wall when it comes to moisture is it doesn't provide a favorable material for mold to grow in and most foam products contain no food value for mold. Foam insulation also creates a needed air seal that will keep your home comfortable and energy-efficient.

Will foam insulation grow mold?

Foam building insulation, in both spray foam and foam board products, is resistant to mold growth but as we will explain here it is not absolutely mold-roof, and on occasion we do find mold growth on the surface of even closed-cell foam, in open-celled foam (rare), and on th surface of EPS and other foam insulating ...

Does foam insulation keep moisture out?

Spray foam insulation is the only type of insulation that will stop the moisture outside from coming in. Fiberglass insulation and other products don't provide enough of a barrier. You'll have gaps that will allow dampness to come inside. Many of these other insulations can even absorb moisture.

Does spray foam create moisture problems?

While the benefits of spray foam are multifaceted—it can reduce energy costs, increase a home's structural integrity, create a moisture barrier and prolong the life of an air conditioning unit—it can also cause problems.

Is foam insulation on exterior walls worth it?

Exterior wall insulation reduces thermal bridging and can dramatically increase the thermal efficiency of your home. As a result, you won't lose valuable floor space inside, and the new cladding outside will make your house look new again.

Principle of Avoiding Condensation Explainer

What type of insulation is best for exterior walls?

What is the disadvantage of foam insulation?

On the downside, spray foam insulation comes at a price that is considerably more expensive than fiberglass. Often times, spray foam is triple the price of fiberglass and sometimes it can be more. Applying spray foam insulation is also something that is not advised to do by yourself unless it is a very small job.

Does spray foam insulation prevent mold?

Spray foam insulation keeps your living space free of moisture and allows you to prevent mold growth!

When should you not use spray foam insulation?

What happens when foam insulation gets wet?

You know your home has spray foam insulation if wall and floor cavities are filled with hard white foam. Though spray foam doubles as a moisture barrier and creates an air-tight seal, the leak is still problematic because water can damage the wood surrounding the insulation.

Does rigid foam insulation need a vapor barrier?

Foam insulation usually does not require a vapor barrier. For some foam insulation types, such as closed-cell spray foam and foam board insulation, the insulation itself stops the movement of most water vapor.

What happens when foam gets wet?

Closed cell spray can take water for quite some time and not be adversely affected. We have actually had a basement that we spray foamed with 3″ of closed cell foam get completely flooded for over 3 weeks. When the water receded we did a absorption test and adhesion test.

How do you remove mold from foam insulation?

Though you can also make one yourself. You will need to mix one cup of bleach with a gallon of water. You should then be able to spray this on the affected areas to start killing the mold. You'll also need to scrub the affected areas with a coarse brush.

How do I know if I have mold in my insulation?

Is spray foam insulation better than fiberglass?

Spray foam insulation has a higher R-value than fiberglass, making it a better insulator. Another difference between them is that spray foam is watertight while fiberglass cracks under moisture. However, installing spray foam requires a professional while fiberglass is easy to install yourself.

Does closed cell foam cause mold?

According to Frank, moisture can be a concern if you construct a home and insulate it with open-cell spray foam. If closed cell is used, the moisture cannot make its way to the wood and present mold issues.

Is foam house insulation safe?

It is very important to clarify that spray foam insulation, when installed properly by professionals, is a safe type of insulation. In fact, once it has cured properly, it will even contribute to improving the indoor air quality of your home.

Is spray foam insulation good for houses?

For many homeowners, spray foam insulation is an ideal option for making the interior of the house more comfortable and controlling home energy costs. Spray foam insulation is a versatile material with a host of benefits for both new AND older homes.

Does spray foam devalue your house?

In fact, according to Heritage House, they have seen entire roofs rotted and unrecoverable after SPF has been used. They state that by using SPF in your roof, '…you will devalue your home by the amount that a new roof will cost, and more. ' And we agree.

Is exterior insulation worth the cost?

Exterior Wall Insulation

This is more expensive and usually requires a contractor, but it may be worth the cost—especially if you live in a very cold climate. If you replace the exterior siding on your home, consider adding insulation at the same time.

What type of insulation goes under siding?

Flat Board Insulation

Continuous insulation under new siding has become a popular way to improve energy efficiency on an existing home because it addresses a problem known as thermal bridging. Most homes in the United States are built with traditional wood frame construction, with studs every 16” on center.

Can you spray foam exterior walls?

In order to spray foam properly from the outside you would need to see bare studs, and spray foam in the stud cavities. So that would leave you without sheathing, so you would need to re-install sheathing or at least wind bracing if we are understanding you correctly.