Spray foam removal in Chorley: 130m² of Open Cell Foam Removed Across Three Lofts in 5 Days

The problem

The property had open cell spray foam in three separate roof spaces: about 80m² in the main roof, sprayed directly onto the old bitumen roofing felt, plus about 25m² in an upstairs loft and 25m² in a downstairs loft.

Foam sprayed onto the underside of a roof hides the timbers, so nobody can check them, and it can trap moisture against them. Many lenders and surveyors are cautious about spray foam for that reason. The main loft also had only 100mm of insulation on the floor and no ladder, just a loft light.

What we did

1. Free survey: measured the foam in all three roof spaces and the main loft floor, then quoted for removal, insulation and boarding.
2. Removed the open cell spray foam from the rafters and felt in the main roof, about 80m².
3. Cleared the foam from the upstairs and downstairs lofts, about 25m² each.
4. Took moisture readings on the exposed timbers once the foam was off.
5. Fitted breathable membrane where the roof needed it.
6. Lifted and disposed of the old 100mm insulation and laid 300mm of Knauf mineral wool across 50m² of the main loft.
7. Raised 40m² of loft boarding on Loft Leg XL supports, so the boards sit above the new insulation without squashing it.
8. Bagged and removed all the foam and waste from site.

The result

About 130m² of open cell spray foam is gone from all three roof spaces, leaving the rafters and timbers open to inspect. The main loft now has 300mm of mineral wool across 50m² and 40m² of raised boarding for storage.

The job took 5 days and is covered by EcoTrust's 10-year guarantee. The homeowner has a Certificate of Removal and a 10-year guarantee for their records.