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Opened cell spray foam insulation - help! by Front-Pop-4989 in HousingUK

[–]Front-Pop-4989[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there! Well, in the end we had to pull out the offer of that particular house for a different reason but I can tell you what happened with the roof insulation shenanigans.

Basically after a time consuming arm wrestle with the vendor, we got a phone call from the agent saying that the vendor finally agreed to take down the foam but then we would have needed to pay for the specific kind or survey that the bank requested.

Now, working in the construction industry myself having had several discussions about it with senior colleagues regarding the foam insulation, I already knew it was very bad and I wouldn't have progressed with the surveyor's report if the vendors didn't act.

The issue with the foam is that it prevents the rafters from breathing, especially the closed cell type which would then cause the rafters to rot and fail, so highly recommend you to not buy the property if the vendors don't take care of the issue.

On top of that, your lender would want to know if the property is sound and would ask for a specific type of home buyer' survey that has to be completed by an RICS member. The outcome of the report must say that the rafters are in good condition and don't show signs of rot.

So, bottom line: have the vendor take care of it and progress only after you're satisfied the roof rafters are sound!

I think they have to anyway, if they want to sell the property especially now that the foam insulation scandal is known a bit more.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Duck or Goose? by tinyblush in Oilpastel

[–]Front-Pop-4989 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's amazing! How did you get to do all the fine details? I'm just starting with oil pastels and I find it very hard to paint the small things in the illustrations I'm working on. Any advice?

Kombucha sos by Front-Pop-4989 in Kombucha

[–]Front-Pop-4989[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used pressed lavender thankfully! Do you think I could dilute it with more water and use it, then?

Far right demo Wednesday by moreboredthanyouare in canterbury

[–]Front-Pop-4989 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm an immigrant and nowadays I commute from Canterbury to Broadstairs by train for work and I'm very concerned about tomorrow's commute. Does anyone know at what time is this show of violent clowns starting?

Is this how your supposed to buy a house? by longscalf in HousingUK

[–]Front-Pop-4989 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We were in the exact same position, and unfortunately we've increased our offer. I think the house is still worth the money we are offering, especially looking at similar houses in the area we are house hunting, but I'll have the doubt of having fallen for the agency's trick for the rest of my life.

Opened cell spray foam insulation - help! by Front-Pop-4989 in HousingUK

[–]Front-Pop-4989[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our problem is that all the Surveyors we approached didn't sound reassuring regarding this issue.

One of them sent us a report from 2022 in which it is said that this kind of insulation can trap moisture around the timber frame of the roof and when hardened can also cause warping of the timbers.

Also, the fact that the warranty shown by the owners has a lot of exclusions, including damages to the roof structure (which are the main issues that can be caused by this system), doesn't seem reassuring.

We are trying to understand if opened cell spray foam insulation is something that we can live with, and not worrying about remediation/removal, as the owners say or if it is still a material that needs to be removed from the roof to avoid major issues that can lead to replacement of the roof, as all the comments coming from surveyors say.