DIY Spray Foam

[txvwnut]

Does anyone have real world experience using any of the DIY spray foam options on the market.

Yes I know I can call the professionals but this is a small job that requires moving my mill, tool boxes and bench to gain access and will have to be done in stages, or at least that’s how I want to do it.

 

[karoc]

I don’t but going to follow this cause I also have similar project

 

[Fixr]

Pay VERY close attention to the safety instructions. Some spray foams can do really bad things to your lungs and absolutely require a supplied air respirator.

 

[MadScientist3019]

One thing to keep in mind is to not put it down too thick for each layer. It won't exotherm appropriately and will offgas for years. This is something that's not easy so do a lot of research. I haven't done it myself but have heard many things from building science professionals about this. For me spray foam is a last resort.

 

[txvwnut]

One thing to keep in mind is to not put it down too thick for each layer. It won't exotherm appropriately and will offgas for years. This is something that's not easy so do a lot of research. I haven't done it myself but have heard many things from building science professionals about this. For me spray foam is a last resort.

I am planning on making a few test sprays before I attempt to spray the wall so that I can make a depth gauge to monitor the application.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

I will give some feedback in a few days.

Have a Dupont Froth-Pak 620 here to install later this week when I get to that stage in my project.
Purchased at Menards FWIW

Tyvek Suit
Full face respirator
Gloves
etc.
for my safety gear

 

[SBAG]

I wish I had gone this way in shed extension on my main shop. Instead I used a series of XPS and polyiso foam along with Great Stuff canned foam (with the reusable gun) for sealing to fill in between girts and purlins and then between 24 inch of center studs and rafters. Rest of the cavities filled with rock wool (I don’t like open cavities).

Took an inordinate amount of time. If I had it over to do, I would definitely went with Froth-pals or similar. Or looked harder to find someone willing to do a smaller job.

 

[Fixr]

I will give some feedback in a few days.

Have a Dupont Froth-Pak 620 here to install later this week when I get to that stage in my project.
Purchased at Menards FWIW

Tyvek Suit
Full face respirator
Gloves
etc.
for my safety gear

Read the MSDS. If the foam contains isocyanates, last I checked there are no approved respirator cartridges available. Supplied air is the only approved and safe type of respirator as far as I know. The stuff can really screw up your lungs and you won't know it until it's too late.

 

[wssix99]

+1 for the Froth-Pak. We used them to fill in the gaps in our house's insulation. Easy - no problems.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

Read the MSDS. If the foam contains isocyanates, last I checked there are no approved respirator cartridges available. Supplied air is the only approved and safe type of respirator as far as I know. The stuff can really screw up your lungs and you won't know it until it's too late.

I have, and will be spraying it in an unfinished remodel with VERY good ventilation. No windows installed yet with fans.

 

[NUTTSGT]

There used to be some decent videos on YouTube but are probably buried now and hard to find.

 

[gregs]

A review when your done would be great. I have some areas that I need to work on in the winter and interested in possibly using this type of product. I am guessing its an area that a pro would probably wouldn't typically do?

 

[joe_padavano]

I used DIY spray foam on my 28x32 red iron metal building. I bought the kits from ebay, though that was at least ten years ago and I don't see the vendor that I used listed now. It took four of the 600 BF kits, closed cell and flame retardant. I wore a Tyvek suit, hat, goggles, and respirator. The fumes will get to you otherwise. The spray makes a mess, with glops on the floor. My shop was empty so I just let the stuff fall on the slab and used a metal floor scraper after it hardened to clean up. That was a lot easier than tripping over plastic or drop cloths. All in all it wasn't that bad.

 

[sbarshie]

I did the bottom of my camp with it and it worked fantastic. The key for me was warming the tanks up with a heated blanket so they were warm. It made spraying more consistent. The kits were pretty expensive at the time I did it, but it was so fast and easy that it made working under a building (crawl space) much more bearable.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

Sprayed today

Went well and covered as expected.

Little bit of a learning curve, but caught on quickly.



Did upstairs from outside (plaster & lath)
Have joist to do once I get the sheeting finished.

 

[coldh2o]

I did the bottom of my camp with it and it worked fantastic. The key for me was warming the tanks up with a heated blanket so they were warm. It made spraying more consistent. The kits were pretty expensive at the time I did it, but it was so fast and easy that it made working under a building (crawl space) much more bearable.

Helpful to hear this, it's exactly what I have to do at our cottage. My biggest concern is running into a rattler under there.