How to Install Spray Foam Insulation in Hard-to-Reach Areas

Spray foam is one of the best insulation materials available. It is typically manufactured from polyurethane, which is fabricated as a liquid and combined with chemicals to bind it together. It is installed with a pressurized air machine. It conforms to the contours of an area where it expands and hardens, forming a thermal barrier. Because spray foam comes as a liquid and is applied using an air hose, it is a viable option for installation in hard-to-reach areas. It is usually installed by professionals, but a competent homeowner can do it herself, having hired the spray machine.

Cardboard
Protective clothing
Spray machine
Liquid foam
Utility knife

Instructions

- 1
  Cover all ducts and vents so that they can be uncovered after installation.
- 2
  Place a cardboard barrier across the door to the room in which you are working. This will help prevent foam particles from entering the living areas of the house.
- 3
  Wear protective clothing and a face mask. Spray foam contains chemicals that can irritate the skin.
- 4
  Fill the reservoir of the pressurized air machine with the liquid foam and plug it in.
- 5
  Hold the hose of the machine about 12 inches from the area you wish to insulate. If this is not possible for hard-to-reach areas, get as close to this distance as you can.
- 6
  Spray the foam in a quick side-to-side motion. Hard-to-reach areas are often very confined, and you do not want to overload a confined area, given that the foam will expand as soon as it hits the wall.
- 7
  Apply the foam directly around pipes and electrical boxes in hard-to-reach areas.
- 8
  Allow the foam to expand and harden, then trim it so that it's flush with joists or other structural elements. In larger spaces, you would use a saw, but if the area is confined, use a utility knife.

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