TIL my buddy's advice about spray foam insulation was dead wrong

My friend Mark swore by that DIY spray foam kit from the hardware store for our garage ceiling. Said it would save us a ton compared to hiring a crew. Well, 6 months later we got a weird smell in there and the foam started cracking and pulling away from the wood. Turns out he didn't account for Edmonton's extreme temperature swings and the cheap stuff just fails here. Had to pay a crew $2,100 to remove it all and do it right with closed cell foam. Has anyone else had trouble with those DIY kits in this climate?

3 comments

3 Comments

luna_wells571d ago

Mark's the kind of guy who probably watched one YouTube video and thought he was an expert. I get it, everyone wants to save a buck, but $2,100 is a hard lesson in why you don't cheap out on something that's basically part of your house's structure. Honestly I'd argue the DIY kit did exactly what it was supposed to do for a mild climate, but Edmonton's -40 winters and +30 summers are not "mild". Your buddy should have at least checked the temperature range on the can before spraying it all over your garage.

dixon.rose2d ago

Wait, $2,100 just to rip it all out? That hurts my soul just reading that. Your buddy owes you a serious apology or at least a case of beer for that one.

zara_allen1d ago

Wait seriously $2,100 to rip that stuff out? Ngl that is brutal. I can't believe the cheap foam just started cracking and peeling like that after only six months. Honestly that sounds like a nightmare especially with the smell thing too. Tbh your buddy probably felt real bad after seeing that bill but still ouch.